ILLUSTRATED  DESCBIfTION 

OF 


1^ 


SEimmiEN  &  GIIDEMEISTER 
ARCHITECTS  OF  THE  BUriOINC 


Ex  ICtbrta 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


li'hen  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

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Gil  Tor  SiA'MOUR  B.  DuRSi  OiJ)  York  Library' 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
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http://archive.org/details/newyorkcrystalpaOOcars 


NE¥  YORK 


ILLUSTRATED 

DESClilPTIO^^  OF  THE  BUILDmO. 

BY 

.  GEO.  CARSTENSEN  &  CHS.  GILDEMEISTER, 

5lrrjjitfrti5  uf  tjjc  Joiiilhing. 

WITH 

AN  OIL-COLOR  EXTEIUOR  VIEW, 

A\D  SIX   LARGE  PLATES  CONTAINING    PLANS,  ELEVATIONS,  SECTIONS,  AND 
DETAILS,  FROM  THE  WORKING  DRAWINGS  OF  THE  ARCHITECTS. 


NEW  YORK: 
RIKER,    THORNE,    &    CO.,  PUBLISHERS, 
129   FULTON  STREET. 
1854. 


C23 


Entered  nrriirding  to  Art  of  Cmi^'ress,  iii  the  yenr  18S1,  liv 
GEO.  CARSTENSEN, 
Clerk's  Offi.e  nf  thpDiMncl  Curt  of  the  T'nited  States  for  tho  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


CARSTENSEN  &  GILDFJVIEISTER 
Have  removed  from  '74  to  348  Broadway  (Appleton-'s  Building). 


R  AND  StEREOTTPKB, 


ARTISTS    AND  ARTISANS 

THE  i:mti;i»  statks 

IS        I  N  S  (■  R  I  1)  K  n 

BY     THEIR     FELI.O  \V- LA  I5()R  ERS. 

l  ARSTENSEN  *  GILDEMEISTER. 


CONTENTS. 


Introductory  Statement,  9 

General  Description  of  the  Building,   23 

I.    Foundations,    24 

II.    Columns,   24 

III.  Girders,   28 

IV.  Arches  and  Fanlights,   31 

V.    Staircases,   31 

VI.    Galleries,   33 

VII.    Roofs,    3  4 

V^III.    Panels,    3.5 

IX.  Water  Table  and  Base  Mouldings,    3fi 

X.  Top  Mouldings,   3G 

XI.  Arches  over  Windows,   37 

XII.  Towers,   37 

Xm.    Tlie  Dome,   .       .  39 

XIV.  Windows,  Sashes,  and  Doors,   ....  13 

XV.  Railing,    ....  43 

XVI.  Mouldings  of  the  Columns,   43 

XVII.  Additional  Building,   44 

Appendi.v,    47 

List  of  Officers,  Juries,  etc.,   6.5 


LIST  OF  PLATES. 


F  II  O     T  1  S  1'  I  E  C  E . 

OlI.-C'ol.OREL.    PERsrEtTlVi:  YlhW 


1"  LATE     J . 
.Section. 


1'  L  A  T  H      I  J 


I).  taiN  ..f  Na\.-ar.  ln-s  

PriiK'ilial  Tru,-ses  iindor  Uuofs 
(iirder  comieotiuii;  .Navc-iu-clie 
Details  ot  ihnm)  


Outside  Cust-iioii  raniiols  

I'  J.  A  T  V.      1  \  . 


1'  E  A  T  i:     \'  . 

Details  of  Octagonal  Towers  

I'anelwork  and  Cornice  of  Dome  

Balconv  hailiiiir  

Gallery  Railintf  

Panels  in  Front  of  Navr  

I'anels  in  S.M-ond  M..rv  of  Nave  

I'  1,  A  T  i:    \-  1 

Detail  of  Gallery  Floor  in  the  Additional  JJuildint;-  

Detail  of  Koof  over  the  same  

Transv,.|-se  Section  of  Mnehiiie  Arcade  and  Picture  Call. 
Details  of  Skylight  over  Picture  (iallery  

Pedestals'of  In-ide  folunius  

Ornamental  Jirackct  under  Mave-arches  

Details  of  Mouldiiitj;s  over  the  Joints  of  Columns  

Outer  Wall^^  or  Sides  of  Building  


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEMENT. 

From  the  connnencement  of  our  professional  connexion  with  the  Crystal 
Pahace,  we  conceived  that  it  was  due  to  the  importance  of  an  enterprise 
so  national  and  extensive,  that  a  technical  and  descriptive  record  of  its 
origin,  construction,  and  progress,  should  be  placed  before  the  public.  It 
was  our  intention,  however,  in  doing  so  to  confine  ourselves  to  a  simple 
exposition  of  tlie  details  regarding  the  planning,  designing,  and  construc- 
tion of  the  building  on  lieservoir  S(|uare,  treated  in  a  purely  technical 
manner,  and  addressed  more  particularly  to  our  professional  brethren. 
Circumstances  have  since  occurred  which  render  it  necessary  to  preface  it 
by  a  few  remarks  of  an  explanatory  nature,  unconnected  with  the  techni- 
cal portion  of  the  work,  and  in  vindication  of  our  reputation.'^ 

During  the  progress  of  the  Crystal  Palace,  after  its  completion,  and  in- 
deed up  to  a  very  late  date,  the  public  ear  was  filled  with  rumors — all  of 
which  tended  to  place  us  in  a  ftilse  light  before  the  people.  These  inju- 
rious reports  had  none  of  the  characteristics  of  the  mistakes  into  which 
the  public  sometimes  fall,  and  which  almost  immediately  rectify  them- 
selves. There  was  a  steadiness  and  persistency  about  them ;  a  skilful  and 
wilful  misinterpretation  of  motives,  and  misstatement  of  facts,  which  ren- 
dered it  evident  at  once  that  a  secret  and  clandestine  influence  was  being 
brought  to  bear  against  us.  Numberless  absurd  rumors  were  set  in  motion, 
whispered  from  one  to  another,  occasionally  re-echoed  by  the  press,  and 
eventually,  as  is  always  the  case,  credited  by  many.  Upon  our  shoulders  was 
laid  the  blame  for  the  numerous  unnecessary  delays  complained  of  during 
the  erection  of  the  structure.  To  us  was  attributed  the  serious  breach  of 
promise  to  the  piiblic  and  exhibitors,  by  which  the  day  of  opening  was 
postponed.    It  was  at  one  time  extensively  rumored,  and  even  mentioned 

*  It  was  our  intention  to  have  issued  the  present  work  long  since  ;  but  the  length  of  time 
required  to  get  the  plates  engraved,  and  the  increase  of  our  professional  duties,  have  unavoid- 
ably delayed  its  production  until  now. 


10 


NEW  YORK  CKYSTAL  PALACE. 


in  certain  newspapers,  that  some  of  the  girders  and  beams,  when  delivered, 
owing  to  an  error  in  the  drawings,  were  found  to  be  too  long,  and  that  some 
of  the  columns,  for  a  like  reason,  proved  too  short.  This  statement,  Ave 
may  observe,  is  utterly  without  foundation.  In  a  building  so  extensive 
and  so  complicated  in  its  nature,  there  must  necessarily  ensue  some  fitting, 
adjustment,  etc.,  of  its  parts,  but  that  any  such  result  as  that  above  men- 
tioned took  place  is  certainly  untrue. 

Next  it  was  announced,  that  in  consequence  of  oiir  having  delayed 
the  completion  of  our  working  plans,  the  building  would  not  be  ready  to 
receive  goods  for  several  months  after  the  appointed  date.  Through  the 
entire  period  of  our  connexion  with  the  Crystal  Palace,  and  up  to  the 
present  moment,  these  injurious  rumors  remained  wholly  uncontradicted 
by  us.  During  the  course  of  our  professional  exertions  we  remained  ever 
conscious  of  our  own  rectitude  of  purposes  and  honest  fulfilment  of  our 
duty;  and  satisfied  with  this,  we  felt  less  regard  than  might  be  imagined 
for  the  circulation  of  calumnies,  which  were  evidently  conceived  and  cir- 
ciilated  by  interested  persons.  A  time  has,  however,  arrived  wlien  we  may 
with  great  propriety  give  an  unqualified  contradiction  to  these  injurious 
accusations ;  but  while  doing  so,  we  disclaim  entirely  any  feeling  of  ani- 
mosity towards  those  who  are  responsible  for  these  rumors. 

In  the  plain,  and  we  trust  dispassionate  statement  of  facts  embraced  in 
this  Introduction,  and  in  the  correspondence  between  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee and  ourselves,  Avhich  we  publish  in  the  shape  of  an  Appendix,  all 
that  is  necessary  for  the  removal  of  any  impression  discreditable  to  us  in 
our  professional  capacity  will  be  found.  While  saving  us  the  necessity  of 
descending  to  the  refutation  of  unworthy  misrepresentations,  this  corres- 
pondence will  aff"ord  the  reader  every  oj^portunity  of  judging  Avith 
Avhom  originated  in  reality  tlie  many  delays  and  errors  which  occurred 
during  the  erection  of  the  Crystal  Palace.  It  is  our  intention  to  pass  over 
as  rapidly  as  possible  all  details  Avith  which  the  public,  through  the  me- 
dium of  the  press,  may  be  supposed  to  be  already  familiar,  and  tlie  ex 
2?arte  statements  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Everybody  must  be  aAvare  of  the  motives  aa-IucIi  prompted  the  erection 
of  a  Crystal  Palace  in  New  York  for  the  purjiose  of  an  Exhibition  of  the 
Industry  of  all  Nations.  The  astonisliing  success  Avhich  attended  the  ori- 
ginal enterprise  undertaken  in  London  in  the  year  1851  ;  the  eagerness 
Avith  Avliich  the  example  Avas  folloAved  by  various  countries  that  signified 
their  intention  of  immediately  entering  upon  a  similar  undertaking — all 
rendered  it  necessary  that  so  grand  a  nation  as  America  sliould  in  its  turn 
realize  on  her  own  soil  this  novel  idea  of  our  progressive  era.    In  this 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEMENT. 


11 


country  sucli  an  undertaking  would  not  expect  or  require  the  assistance 
of  the  State,  as  is  the  case  on  tlie  continent  of  Europe — even  our  very 
•  Constitution  prevented  tlie  Federal  or  State  Governments  from  rendering 
any  direct  aid;  therefore  it  was  left  to  private  enterprise  ti»  complete  a 
task  whicli  elsewhere  required  royal  exertiou  to  insure  its  success. 

A  charter  having  been  granted  by  the  Legislature  of  Xew  York,  incor- 
porating an  Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Xations, 
a  Committee  having  been  organized,  and  a  lease  of  Reservoir  Square  at  a 
nominal  rent  having  been  procured  from  the  city  govoniinent,  it  was  an- 
nounced that  the  furnishing  of  a  design  for  the  contenq)hited  building  was 
open  to  competition.  The  circumstance  of  our  becoming  competitors  was 
purely  accidental.  We  did  not  know  of  the  lists  being  open  until  about 
three  weeks  before  the  final  arrangement,  when,  at  the  suggestion  of  our 
friends,  we  undertook  the  task  of  furnishing  a  design  worthy  of  the  occa- 
sion (Appendix  I.).  Previous  to  the  accei)tance  of  our  plan  by  the  Board 
of  Directors,  the  latter  entertained  exceedingly  restricted  ideas  regarding 
the  limits  of  the  future  enterprise.  The  conq^any  was  limited  in  its  means  ; 
both  at  home  and  abroad  a  feeling  of  distrust  was  manifested  towards 
what  was  considered  to  be  a  private  speculation  rather  than  a  national 
undertaking,  and  European  states  were  cautious  in  giving  any  ju-omises  of 
co-operation.  The  Committee,  therefore,  thought  it  advisable  to  restrict 
their  expenditure  for  the  edifice  to  the  sum  of  §175,000,  and  to  content 
themselves  with  a  one-story  building,  which  should  embrace  as  much  as 
possible  of  the  ground  allotted  to  them  on  Reservoir  Square.  If  the 
reader  refers  to  our  correspondence  with  the  Board  on  this  subject  it  will 
be  seen  that  we  foresaw  the  necessity  of  providing  more  space  than  that 
originally  contemplated  (Appendix  II.).  An  illustration  of  the  correct- 
ness of  our  views  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  although  the  building  de- 
signed by  us  contained  (in  the  shape  of  galleries)  62,000  square  feet  more 
than  they  imagined  would  be  required,  it  was  found  necessary  to  erect  an 
extra  building,  in  order  to  contain  a  machine-arcade  and  picture  gallery, 
at  the  sacrifice  of  much  important  time  ;  at  the  risk  of  serious  injury  to  the 
symmetry  of  the  principal  edifice.  In  the  illustrations  which  we  furnish 
of  various  modifications  of  our  original  design  (Plate  IL,  Fig.  3)  made  to 
suit  the  need  of  the  Company,  it  will  be  observed  that  we  at  first  proposed 
a  basement  story,  which,  if  carried  out,  would  have  given  an  additional 
surface  of  150,000  square  feet,  for  about  the  same  sum  as  was  afterwards 
expended  on  the  erection  of  the  somewhat  unsightly  machine  arcade.  The 
prudence  of  the  Board  of  Directors  went  even  so  far  in  point  of  economy 
as  to  suggest,  the  abolition  of  galleries  altogether.    Independently  of  the 


12 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


artistic  incompleteness  which  would  have  pervaded  an  entirely  naked 
slied,  such  as  the  Palace  would  have  become  liad  this  suggestion  been 
adopted,  those  who  visited  the  Exhibition  after  its  opening,  and  observed' 
the  crowded  effect  of  many  of  its  departments,  will  at  once  perceive  how 
very  inadequate  the  building  would  have  been  to  meet  its  practical  pur- 
pose without  those  galleries.  Had  our  original  plan  been  adopted  in  its 
totality,  some  serious  defects  that  now  exist  would  have  been  entirely 
avoided.  The  presence  of  a  basement  story  woidd  have  elevated  the 
building  about  six  feet,  thus  decreasing  the  unfavorable  efiect  which  the 
heavy  masonry  of  the  Reservoir  now  produces  upon  it.  But  so  depressed 
was  the  feeling  of  some  members  of  the  Executive,  that  it  was  at  two 
diiferent  periods  suggested  to  have,  instead  of  a  lofty  and  aerial  dome 
which  should  give  dignity  and  elegance  to  the  whole  structiu-e,  an  open 
coui-t  in  the  centre,  roofed  in  with  canvas.  Even  the  unprofessional 
reader  can  easily  realize  the  etfect  of  so  flat  and  ungainly  an  edifice,  when 
so  closely  contrasted  with  the  huge  proportions  of  the  Reservoir. 

Our  plan  having  met  with  the  approbation  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
and  those  alterations  having  been  carried  out  which  the  smallness  of  capi- 
tal of  the  Company  rendered  unavoidable,  our  contract  was  signed  on  the 
26th  August,  1852,  after  Avhich  the  mechanical  departments  were  called  into 
action.  The  contracts  for  the  masonry  were  given  out  on  the  4:th  of  Sep- 
tember, and  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month  the  iron  work  was  contracted 
for.  It  was  stipulated  that  the  foundation  should  be  ready,  and  the 
first  necessary  castings  delivered,  on  the  21st  of  October.  A  pattern  shoji 
was  established  in  this  city,  under  the  superintendence  of  Messrs.  Cir.  J. 
Shepard  and  John  Purvis,  and  the  contracts  for  iron  were  distributed 
among  various  manufacturers,  some  in  ISTew  York  City  and  State ;  others  in 
New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Connecticut.  This  distribution 
of  the  iron  contracts,  owing  to  the  failure  in  making  arrangements  for  the 
whole  supply  from  any  one  or  two  hoiises  in  this  city,  was  the  occasion 
afterwards  of  much  inconvenience  and  disappointment,  as  will  be  shown 
in  the  course  of  our  statement. 

The  first  column  of  the  Crystal  Palace  was  erected  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  on  the  30tli  of  October,  1852,  and  simultaneously  with  tliis 
first  active  step  to  the  erection  of  the  building,  the  delays  and  neglectful- 
ness,  afterwards  the  source  of  so  much  complaint,  seemed  to  spring  into 
existence,  for  even  on  the  24:th  of  November  nothing  but  that  single 
column  had  been  raised. 

In  all  great  undertakings  the  projectors  should  evince  a  corresponding 
spirit.    To  cramp  the  mechanical  agents  of  an  enterprise  is  to  insure  its 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEMENT. 


13 


failure ;  and  to  attempt  to  compass  certain  ends  witli  inadequate  means  is 
an  almost  certain  path  to  disappointment  and  ridicule.  The  opening  of 
the  Crystal  Palace  was  fixed  for  the  first  of  May,  1853.  During  the  first 
few  months  that  followed  the  raising  of  the  first  column  the  puhlic  had 
great  confidence  in  the  punctual  fulfilment  of  tliis  promise.  They  liad 
seen  with  what  energy  and  punctuality  the  contracts  of  Messrs.  Fox  & 
Henderson  had  been  accomplished  in  London.  Tlie  monthly  intelligence 
of  the  rapid  progress  of  the  Exhibition  building  in  the  Irish  capital  cheered 
them  with  the  hope  that  all  difficulties  would  be  overcome  hero  by  the 
well  known  spirit  and  energy  for  which  Americans  are  so  jnstly  celel)rated ; 
and  people  predicted  proudly  that,  in  spite  of  all  constitutional  and  other 
obstacles,  the  New  York  Crystal  Palace  would  throw  open  its  pniiuls  at 
the  appointed  time,  and  welcome  within  its  aisles  the  congregated  hdjor  ot 
the  world.  But  as  time  rolled  on  this  hope  becanie  less  luioyant.  Those 
who  visited  the  scene  of  operations,  and  the_y  were  niany,  belield  even  in 
the  month  of  January  a  dismal  sight  in  i-egard  to  the  progress  (:>f  the 
building,  notwithstanding  the  skilful,  thorough,  simple,  and  practical 
method  a])plied  in  raising  this  structure,  for  Avliich  task  Messrs.  Noe  & 
Marsuall  deserve  all  the  credit  due  to  able  and  courageous  men. 

The  dispiriting  effect  of  such  a  state  of  things  made  itself  manifest  in  the 
press,  and  complaints  and  accusations  of  dilatoriness  and  neglect  poured  in 
upon  the  Direction  from  all  sides.  By  what  means  a  change  in  the  tenor 
and  aim  of  these  attacks  was  cftected  we  have  not  to  tliis  day  been  aide  to 
discover ;  for  they  w^ere  almost  all  suddenly  directed  against  us,  the  architects, 
— not  the  authorized  superintendents  of  the  Crystal  Palace  ;  and  we  found 
ourselves  arraigned  before  the  tribunal  of  public  opinion  as  the  ])arties 
guilty  of,  and  responsible  for,  all  the  evils.  We  are  not  disposed  to  deny 
that  delays  did  occur,  but  we  feel  confident  that  the  facts  hereinafter 
embodied  will  refute  the  accusation,  so  freely  circulated,  that  we  were  the 
cause  of  them,  and  even  show  that  we  were  destitute  of  that  authority 
necessary  to  counteract  them.*  Our  pecuniar}'  supplies  were  inadequate  to 
the  proper  conduct  of  our  task.  Tlie  time  aftorded  us  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  our  undertaking  was  indeed  limited  when  compared  with  the 
vastness  of  the  work,  and  a  judicious  expenditure  of  funds  was  olndously  tlie 
only  way  to  conquer  the  difficulties  that  presented  tliemselves.  In  our 
estimate  of  the  remuneration  we  ought  to  receive  we  conlined  ourselves  to 

*  prove  our  willingness  to  further  the  erection  of  the  building  we  advised  the  Executive  to 
engage  Mr.  Julius  Kroehl,  engineer,  who  was  one  of  our  best  assistants,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  charge  of  the  structure,  in  which  arrangement  they  succeeded,  and  from  that  time,  the 
beginning  of  February,  it  maybe  said  that  the  actual  progress  of  the  building  commenced. 


14: 


NIOW  YORK  CRYSTAL  I'ALACE. 


the  h^wcst  ])ossible  sum.  AVe  took  into  consideration  that  this  was  a  private 
eiili'i'j.risi',  unsupported  by  govcrnnicnt,  and  consequently  less  able  to  afford 
a  large  compensation.  AVe  therefore,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  correspondence, 
demanded  the  sum  of  $5000  for  our  design,  working  drawings,  specifica- 
tions, etc.  (Appendix  lA^.,  V.,  XIII.,  XIA^.,  XV.)  In  addition  to  the  labo- 
rious task  of  furnishing  all  these  items  for  the  building,  we  were,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  inelficiency  of  certain  officials  connected  with  the  engineering 
department,  compelled  to  superintend  portions  of  the  work  which  were 
entirely  beyond  our  strict  s]>liere,  which  we  had  no  official  authority  to 
control,  and  which  conserpiently  could  not  entail  upon  us  any  responsibility. 

AVe  superintended  the  surveying  of  the  ground,  the  excavation  for  the 
foundation,  and  the  foundation-Avork  itself.  AVe  also  inspected  the  execution 
of  the  work  in  the  pattern  shop  and  the  iron-works,  many  of  them  being 
situated  several  miles  apart,  the  visiting  of  which  not  alone  entailed  loss  of 
valuable  time,  but  considerable  extra  expenses.  At  the  same  time  we  had 
to  furnish  working  drawings  for  every  detail  of  the  construction,  according 
to  our  plans,  with  the  necessary  specifications,  besides  drawings  for  stained 
glass  in  the  fan-lights,  dome-windows,  and  n\nneroTis  other  items,  wliich 
were  not  made  use  of  because  too  expensive,  and  wliidi  required  a  great 
deal  of  time-wasting  conferences  with  the  respective  establishments  in  the 
city.  ISTor  did  our  task  cease  here,  for  we  had  to  explain  these  drawings 
to  nearly  all  the  competitors  for  the  contracts  for  different  portions  of  the 
work,  and  when  we  state  that  from  three  to  four  hundred  different  designs 
were  made,  requiring  on  an  average  three  explanations  each,  we  think  that 
our  professional  brethren,  to  whom  we  address  ourselves  particularly,  and 
even  the  public  in  general,  must  come  to  the  conclusion  that  we  certainly 
earned  the  $4000  which  we  received  as  a  remuneration  for  the  fulfilment 
of  our  duties. 

An  additional  sum  was  granted  on  the  30tli  November,  1852,  to  meet 
expenses  for  assistants  and  office  outlays,  caused  by  the  division  of  the  work 
among  numerous  parties,  which,  considerably  increased  the  number  ol 
drawings,  specifications,  etc.  This  sum  finally  amounted  to  $2630,  for  Avhich 
we  gave  a  specified  account  with  vouchers  to  the  Board  of  Directors.  At 
that  time  it  was  already  difficult  to  induce  assistants  of  sufficient  ability  to 
accept  a  situation  for  a  short  period,  wdiile  the  contrary  would  have  been 
the  case  if  we  had  been  enabled  to  offer  them  an  occupation  from  the  1st  of 
September.  ^ 

So  far  from  being  negligent  or  dilatory  it  will  be  seen  that,  cramped  as 
were  our  pecuniary  means,  we  absolutely  assumed  the  duties  of  the  working 
officials  in  addition  to  our  own,  and  superintended  portions  of  the  enterprise 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEJIENT. 


15 


which,  according  to  what  has  ah-eady  been  stated,  we  had  not  contemplated 
as  devolving  upon  ns. 

With  regard  to  those  duties  which  were  strictly  ours,  we  do  not  hesitate 
to  assert  tliat  they  were  punctually  performed.  If  anybody  has  a  right  to 
complain  it  is  ourselves,  who  on  almost  every  occasion  experienced  consider- 
able difficulties  in  getting  our  designs  practically  carried  out  with  quickness. 

Iinuiediately  after  the  idea  of  the  Crystal  Palace  was  matured,  a  pattern 
sliop,  as  above  mentioned,  was  established  expressly  for  making  the  necessary 
patterns  for  the  iron  castings  to  be  used  in  the  building.  This  establishment 
was  abundantly  provided  with  mechanics,  and  it  became  of  course  a  matter 
of  economical  necessity  to  keep  them  continually  supplied  with  designs 
from  which  to  construct  their  patterns  fi:)r  the  cast-iron  work.  In  obedience 
to  this  necessity  we  furnished  these  drawings  so  rapidlv  that  numbers  of 
them  remained  undisposed  of  for  some  weeks  and  months,  either  because 
the  workmen  Avere  over  supplied,  or  from  some  defect  in  the  system  on  which 
the  establishment  was  conducted.  The  effect  of  this  arrangement  was, 
liowever,  soon  seriously  felt.  Tlie  undivided  attention  which  was  given  to 
the  cast-iron  work  interfered  so  much  with  the  progress  of  the  wrought-iron 
work,  that  it  was  almost  entirely  laid  aside,  and  althougli  constituting  a 
very  essential  part  of  the  building,  such  as  the  dome,  the  trusses  support- 
ing the  same,  the  roofs,  galleries,  staircases,  etc.,  it  was  almost  entirely 
neglected  at  a  period  when  it  should  liave  commanded  the  principal  atten- 
ti>;>n  of  the  Superintending  Engineer. 

(_)iie  of  the  chief  causes  of  the  delays  so  frequently  complained  of  was 
tlie  dilati)riuess  with  which  the  iron  materials  for  the  building  were 
delivered.  Shoi-tly  after  the  contracts  were  made  the  prices  of  iron  were 
increased,  and  the  contractors  appeared  unwilling  to  purchase  and  deliver 
at  a  higher  rate  than  they  themselves  were  to  receive  according  to  the 
terms  of  the  contract.  Xot  having  been  intrusted  by  the  Board  of  Directors 
with  the  contracting  de];)artment,  we  took  no  part  in  the  giving  out  of 
contracts,  and  had  no  power  to  enforce  their  fulfilment.  By  the  short- 
coming of  contractors  and  failure  of  the  Executive  to  hold  them  to  their 
obligations,  we  Avere  reduced  to  the  most  lamentable  expedients  to  get 
materials  together;  we  had  to  search  from  store  to  store  for  angle  iron, 
making  what  use  we  best  could  of  such  pieces  as  we  were  able  to  procure 
in  tliis  desnltoi-y  manner,  completely  reversing  the  usual  order  of  such 
matters,  and  constructing  our  building  with  reference  to  the  materials, 
instead  of  getting  those  which  would  suit  our  construction.  As  a  signal 
and  eloquent  instance  of  the  want  of  system  which  pervaded  the  entire 
working  corps,  we  may  state  that  the  castings  for  the  second  story  of  the 


16 


NEW  YUKK    CKYSTAL  PALACE. 


building  were  delivered  on  the  ground  a  considerable  time  before  those 
required  for  the  first  story  were  even  ready. 

Much  of  the  trouble  experienced  in  these  matters  might  have  been  avoided 
if  the  Board  of  Directors  had  entertained  juster  views  of  the  true  position 
of  superintending  architects,  and  allowed  us  the  directional  power  which 
belongs  to  that  department.  As  it  w  as,  our  sphere  of  action  was  exceedingly 
ill  defined.  Our  duties  and  respi  ni^ibility  frerpiently  clashed  with  those  of 
the  su])eriutending  engineer.  At  times  this  oflicial  prevented  action  on  our 
part  in  what  he  designated  as  his  province  ;  at  others,  he  silently  relied  on 
our  doing  things  of  exactly  similar  nature  which  we  had  abstained  from 
out  of  respect  to  his  previous  intimations  ;  and  still,  again,  he  interfered 
with  work  projierly  and  clearly  belonging  to  our  department,  and  for  whicli 
we  ostensibly  remained  responsible,  while  it  was  executed  in  a  manner 
contrary  to  our  ideas,  and  to  the  plans  furnished  by  us.  The  following 
instances  will  attbrd  sufHcient  example  : 

Shortly  after  the  jialace  became  roofed,  the  leakage  which  occurred 
Avas  a  nuittcr  of  serious  inconvenience  and  annoyance.  If  the  reader  will 
reier  to  that  part  of  our  technical  description  which  regards  the  gutters 
and  louvres,  he  will  find  that  we  furnished  designs,  and  made  suggestions 
for  those  parts  of  the  building,  which,  had  they  been  adopted,  would  un- 
doubtedly have  precluded  such  a  result  as  leakage.  Another  plan  for  gutters 
was,  however,  put  into  execution,  suggested  by  other  parties.  The  end 
obtained  by  this  alteration  from  the  original  plan  did  not  prove  to  be  cpiito 
so  satisfactory  as  the  directors  had  anticipated. 

In  regard  to  tlie  awnings  placed  over  the  louvres  to  prevent  the  leakage 
through  them,  we  object  to  them  for  the  following  reasons :  1.  Tliat  they  spoil 
the  a|)])earance  of  the  building,  and  prevent  proper  ventilation :  2.  That 
tliey  have  cost  too  much  in  time  and  expense :  3.  That  they  did  not  fulfil 
their  purpose,  whicli  was  proved  by  the  first  heavy  shower.  Besides  we 
feel  convinced  that  after  becoming  decayed,  they  will  be  torn  into  shreds, 
and  thus  injure  the  appearance  of  the  Iniilding. 

Most  of  the  outside  pannels  are  made  of  sheet,  instead  of  cast-iron,  for 
which  latter  material  we  had  furnished  the  necessary  drawings,  and 
several  patterns  as  well  as  castings  had  bei'ii  exjcuted  accordingly  ;  but  as 
they  were  considered  too  lieavy  and  expensive  by  the  superintending 
Engineer,  we  consented  to  tlie  substitution  with  the  express  understanding 
that  the  ornamental  mouldings  should  be  atiixed  to  them,  Avhich  has  not 
been  done,  giving  tliose  pannels  over  the  diflcrent  roofs,  and  below  the 
cornice  of  tlie  dome,  a  rather  plain,  and,  in  some  instances,  a  deformed 
appearance. 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEirKXT. 


17 


Other  circumstances  of  a  similar  cliaracter  will  be  found  at  their  proper 
place  in  the  technical  description. 

Having  given  a  few  instances  of  the  interference  of  the  Executive  with 
our  department,  we  shall  next  show  some  of  the  causes  of  delay. 

The  superintending  Engineer  had,  it  seemed,  conceived  some  novel  ideas 
for  the  construction  of  the  dome,  and  went  so  far  as  to  test  one  of  his 
schemes  by  practical  experiments.  A  couple  of  months  were  wasted  in 
these  unsuccessful  trials.  After  a  great  deal  of  delay,  caused  entirely  by 
such  procrastination  and  fruitless  experiments,  the  before  mentioned  gen- 
tleman suddenly  conceived  that  it  was  a  matter  of  impossibility  to  con- 
struct the  dome  with  the  necessary  celerity  in  this  country.  He  therefore 
suggested  the  idea  of  sending  our  design  to  England,  and  have  that  portion 
of  the  building  executed  there.  At  this  period,  however,  we  determined 
as  much  as  possible  to  take  the  matter  into  our  own  hands,  and  could  not 
for  a  moment  think  of  permitting  it  to  be  said,  that  in  order  to  construct 
an  American  Crystal  Palace  we  were  obliged  to  rely  on  English  work- 
manship for  the  most  important  part  of  the  structure.  We  therefore,  by 
oi;r  own  personal  exertions,  succeeded  at  the  eleventh  hour  in  getting  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  iron  together,  Avhich  might  have  been  obtained  at 
an  earlier  period,  and  with  much  less  expense  and  trouble. 

The  finishing  of  the  working  drawings  for  the  dome-ribs  was  delayed 
in  consequence  of  the  superintending  Engineer  not  securing  iron  in  pro- 
per time,  as,  for  reasons  above  stated,  we  had  to  make  our  constructions 
according  to  the  iron  found  in  the  market.  After  succeeding,  thanks  to 
our  own  efforts  and  the  energy  of  the  assistant  engineer,  Mr.  Kroehl 
(under  whose  superintendence  the  dome  was  erected),  in  obtaining  a  suffi- 
cient quantity,  we  finished  our  designs  for  the  same  ;  which  afterwards 
lay  idle  for  nearly  a  fortnight. 

Tlie  drawings  for  the  wrought-iron  girders  supporting  the  dome,  were 
finished  on  December  24:th,  1852,  and  the  contract  for  one-half  of  them 
was  given  to  Messrs.  Mott  and  Ayres  on  January  15th,  1853  ;  the  other 
half  of  them  Avas  manufactured  by  Messrs.  Hogg  &  Delamater,  who 
deserve  great  credit  for  their  execution  of  the  dome  ribs  ;  but  they  did  not, 
we  believe,  receive  the  order  for  them  before  the  middle  of  February. 
Even  the  outside  ribs  of  the  dome  were  ready,  with  the  necessary  bolts  for 
securing  them,  before  the  opening  of  the  Exhibition ;  but  the  assistant 
Engineer  was  prevented  by  the  Executive  from  putting  them  in  their  pro- 
per places,  so  that  the  building  may  be  said  to  be  yet  unfinished.  We 
trust  that  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  present  efficient  superintendent, 
Mr.  J.  Montgomery  Batchelder,  will  _give  it  the  last  finish,  before  it  shall 
3 


18 


NEW  YORK  CETSTAL  PALACE. 


meet  the  eyes  of  myriads  of  visitors  that  the  coming  season  will  bring 
to  this  metropolis. 

As  a  further  proof  that  the  want  of  working  drawings  did  not  cause  the 
delay,  we  beg  to  state  that  Mr.  I{jvy  commenced  on  the  12th  of  January, 
1853,  to  draw  a  section  (Fl.  I.)  of  the  building  according  to  them,  and  com- 
pleted it  within  a  month. 

Again,  we  got  no  official  order  to  build  the  extra  machine  arcade  and 
picture  gallery  before  the  month  of  March,  as  will  be  seen  by  referring  to 
our  correspondence  with  the  Board  (Appendix  XIII.).  This  building 
would  have  been  rendered  entirely  unnecessary,  as  above  explained,  had 
the  plan  of  a  basement,  which  we  furnished  in  our  original  plan,  been 
carried  out.  This  would  have  aiforded  all  necessary  space  for  machinery, 
&c.,  and  would  have  saved  much  delay  and  inconvenience.  Even  in  the 
erection  of  this  simple  arcade,  we  experienced  the  same  kind  of  obstruc- 
tions which  we  encountered  in  connexion  with  the  main  building,  oc- 
casioned partly  by  the  want  of  foresight  or  unanimity  in  some  of  the 
superintendents  of  the  ditFerent  departments.*  The  gentleman  who  had 
the  superintendence  of  the  machinery  department,  Mr.  IIoorES,  did  not 
inform  us  of  the  dimensions  of  the  engines  intended  to  be  placed  in  the 
building,  until  the  latter  was  nearly  completed,  when  it  was  discovered 
that  a  beam  engine,  which  was  to  occupy  a  certain  portion  of  the  shed, 
would  require  a  loftier  roof  than  that  which  our  design  allowed  ;  we  there- 
fore had  to  elevate  that  portion  of  the  building  at  that  late  moment  in 
order  to  provide  for  the  exigencies  of  the  machine. 

Such  are  the  simple  facts  of  the  history  of  the  erection  of  the  Palace. 
They  exhibit  the  true  causes  of  the  mistakes  and  delays  which  occurred 
during  the  construction,  and  they  cannot  fail  to  exonerate  us  from  any 
blame  to  all  unbiased  minds. 

It  now  only  remains  for  us  to  speak  of  the  decoration  and  interior  orna- 
mentation. Before  doing  so,  however,  we  may  be  allowed  to  offer  a  few 
remarks  on  the  position  which  an  architect  should  occupy  in  relation  to 
his  works.  Architecture  is  an  art  by  which  the  social  necessities  of  man- 
kind are  completely  bounded.  It  is  applicable  at  once  to  the  most  divine 
and  domestic  uses,  and  is  equally  used  in  sheltering  the  peasant  and  in 
worshipping  God.  The  professor  of  an  art  so  extensive,  so  useful,  and  so 
sublime,  must  in  a  very  great  degree  partake  of  the  nature  of  his  pm-suit, 

*  Speaking  of  superintendents,  we  think  it  our  duty  to  mention  tliat  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Farren 
•was  appointed  at  the  end  of  May,  1853,  superintending  Engineer  of  the  additional  building 
and  that  we  cannot  pass  here  without  thanking  him  for  the  energy  and  gentlemanly  conduct  ht 
displayed  during  our  connexion  with  him. 


INTKODUCTOEY  STATEJIENT. 


19 


and  possess  a  mind  trained  to  grasp  an  infinite  number  of  details,  and 
comprehend  them  in  combination  as  well  as  unity.  If  he  has  studied  his 
profession  lovingly,  his  mind  is  not  confined  to  mere  outline  of  form,  but 
dwells  equally  upon  every  accessory  which  can  be  enlisted  for  the  decora- 
liiin  of  that  form.  In  buildings  of  a  certain  character  there  is  an  after 
process  which  is  quite  as  important  to  their  general  eftect  as  the  fitness  or 
beauty  of  the  architect's  design — we  mean  the  application  of  decorative 
color.  This  species  of  ornamentation  is  equally  powerful  in  heightening 
or  marring-  the  beauty  of  the  building  to  which  it  is  applicable.  Certain 
colors  on  certain  points  cause  tliem  to  project  or  to  recede — to  appear 
straight  or  curved.  Ey  color,  light  and  shade  can  be  given  and  assisted, 
and  a  building  invested  with  a  harmony  which  none  but  those  who  have 
seen  the  art  in  its  perfection  can  realize.  Considering  the  important  part 
which  chromatic  decoration  plays  in  those  buildings  to  which  it  is  applied, 
it  becomes  a  matter  of  consideration  as  to  who  is  the  most  competent  per- 
son to  direct  the  application.  At  first  sight  one  would  say  the  professional 
decorative  artist.  Tliis  is  quite  right,  if  one  can  always  find  a  decorative 
artist  who  has  studied  the  subject  aesthetically  ;  but  nevertheless  there  is 
another  person  who,  we  think,  should  always  play  an  important  part  in 
the  decoration  of  buildings — we  mean  the  architect.  W.  J.  IIayter 
Le%vis,  in  a  lecture  read  before  the  Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects, 
London,  on  the  construction  and  decoration  of  the  Royal  Panopticon 
Institution,  makes  the  following  sensible  remarks  on  this  subject: — 

"  The  western  part,  which  is  chiefly  arranged  for  private  houses,  separate 
from  the  Institution,  was  carried  up  first.  The  interior  allowed  of  more 
time  for  thought,  so  I  cannot  plead  haste  as  an  excuse  ;  and  for  whatever 
faults  there  may  appear  in  it  I  feel  that  I  am  fully  responsible.  I  ought 
also  to  say  that  I  had  the  advantage  of  working  with  a  council,  and  a  body 
of  oflScers,  who,  whilst  looking  very  carefully  after  the  interest  of  the  In- 
stitution, allowed  me  great  latitude  in  carrying  out  my  ideas,  and  gave  me 
as  complete  a  control  as  was  practicable  over  every  arrangement.  There 
was  also  a  member  of  our  profession,  Mr.  Maekable,  on  the  committee, 
from  whom  I  received  not  only  the  kindest  attention,  but  many  very  valua- 
ble hints.  There  were  no  decorators  brought  in  to  heighten  or  spoil,  as 
the  case  might  be,  the  architect's  general  design ;  but  every  question  con- 
nected with  the  building  was  submitted  to  me,  and  my  recommendations 
were  received  in  a  very  liberal  spirit.  I  do  not,  however,  mean  to  claim  the 
merit  of  all  the  details  of  the  decoration.  The  paintings  on  the  sofiites  of  the 
dome  arches,  and  on  the  ceilings  (and  these  are,  I  believe,  the  only  parts 
not  designed  by  me),  were  worked  out  by  Mk.  Fishek  (of  the  firm  of 


20 


NEW  YORK    CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


Harland  and  Fisher),  who,  I  think,  deserves  great  credit  both  for  design 
and  execution.  But  it  was  left  to  the  architect  to  say  what  decoration  he 
required,  of  what  character,  and  of  what  depth  of  color.  Young  as  I  am, 
I  feel  sure  that,  unless  this  course  be  acted  upon,  and  the  architect  left  to 
work  out  the  whole  of  the  design,  it  will  be  quite  vain  to  expect  uniformity 
and  completeness  in  the  general  etfect.  I  wish  to  mention  here,  that  I 
speak  only  of  myself  in  this  matter,  because  my  partner,  Mr.  Finden, 
taking  a  different  department  of  our  business,  left  the  whole  management 
of  it  to  me." 

It  must  be  perfectly  evident  to  every  one  who  thinks  upon  the  matter, 
that  the  person  who  ought  to  have  the  most  harmonious  idea  of  a  building, 
is  the  person  who  designed  it ;  and  that  to  intrust  a  department  exercising 
so  powerful  an  effect  upon  the  whole  as  the  decorative  one,  into  the  hands 
of  some  one  whose  opinion  may  be  opposed  to  that  of  the  architect,  is  to 
risk  the  destruction  of  all  beauty  in  the  building.  The  architect  should' 
always  be  a  decorative  artist.  His  task  is  but  half  completed  when  the 
structure  is  erected.  From  him,  and  from  him  alone,  should  emanate  the 
rich  masses  of  color,  positive  or  low  toned— strengthening  this,  subduing 
that — leading  the  eye  to  certain  points,  giving  solidity  to  others — and 
casting  over  all  what  Mr.  Owen  Jones  so  admirably  calls  "  a  neutralized 
bloom,"  which  shall  neither  fatigue  nor  distract  the  eye  of  the  spectator, 
yet  at  the  same  time  bring  out  with  distinctness  the  design  and  character 
of  the  building. 

Holding  these  opinions,  we  addressed  to  the  Board  the  letters  which  can 
be  seen  in  the  Appendix. 

We  cannot  omit  here  to  remark  that  the  imsightly  appearance  of  the 
stoves,  -with,  their  pipes  carried  through  the  whole  height  of  the  building, 
which  are  employed  by  the  Executive  for  heating  the  same,  would  have 
been  avoided  if  necessary  provisions  according  to  our  suggestions  had  been 
made  in  proper  time  (Appendix  I.).  Nor  have  we  had  any  part  whatever 
in  the  distribution  of  space,  or  in  the  decorations  of  the  different  depart- 
ments with  their  contents.  We  have  only  directed  the  exhibition  of 
Thorwaldsen's  statues  of  Our  Saviour  and  the  Twelve  Apostles,  with  the 
baptismal  font,  which  was  one  of  t"he  few  departments  entirely  completed 
at  the  opening  of  the  exhibition. 

For  the  decoration  of  the  dome  we  had  devised  two  designs,  besides  the 
one  described  in  the  letter  in  Appendix  XVII.  The  first  was  for  the 
ground  a  rich  blue  with  gilt  or  silver  stars  in  relief.  The  second  was  as 
follows : — From  the  apex  of  the  dome  a  cluster  of  silver  rays  were  to 
radiate  down  to  about  a  third  of  its  depth,  giving  the  effect  of  light  bursting 


INTRODUCTORY  STATEMENT. 


21 


in  through  an  aperture  above.  The  remaining  two-thirds  of  the  dome  were 
to  have  been  colored  in  alternate  subdued  red  and  white  stripes,  over  which 
a  network  was  stretched,  giving  the  eftect  of  a  huge  American  ensign 
having  been  cast  over  the  dome,  and  supported  in  its  place  by  the  ribs  and 
the  net-work,  which  would  seem  to  bulge  and  droop  beneath  the  super- 
incumbent weight.  Without  wishing  to  insist  upon  the  superiority  of  either 
of  these  designs  over  the  one  adopted,  and  executed  by  Mr.  Monte  Lilla,/ 
under  the  superintendence  of  Mr.  Greenougu,  we  cannot  refrain  from 
adverting  to  the  defects  of  the  latter,  where  the  apex  or  receding  point  of 
the  dome  was  painted  yellow,  which  is  the  most  advancing  color  in  the 
spectrum,  and  the  base  or  nearest  point  a  light  blue,  which  is  the  color 
always  used  to  bestow  the  etfect  of  a  receding  object.  The  consequence 
was  that  the  dome  lost  a  third  of  its  apparent  size  by  this  distribution  of 
colors.  Tlie  yellow  brings  the  top  nearer  to  tiK;  spectators,  while  the  blue 
gives  to  the  base  the  effect  of  distance,  and  the  vault  which  should  have 
looked  light,  aerial,  and  expansive,  has  now  been  flattened  down.  We  at 
one  time  understood  that  a  gentleman  from  England,  Mr.  Mould,  a  pupil 
of  Mr.  Owen  Jones,  off"ered  some  meritorious  designs  for  the  decoration  of 
the  building,*  which  were  not  accepted.  We  had  not  the  pleasure  to  see 
these  designs  until  seven  months  after  the  Crystal  Palace  was  opened,  but 
we  think  that  in  a  matter  so  important  as  the  decoration  of  a  building 
which  we  designed,  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Executive  to  permit  us  to  have 
a  voice  in  the  aftair ;  a  just  courtesy  wliich  was  never  granted.  On  the 
whole  we  trust  that  the  reader,  after  a  perusal  of  this  statement,  and  the 
accompanying  correspondence,  will  see  tliat  whatever  mistakes  may  have 
occurred  during  the  erection,  and  in  the  completion  of  the  Crystal  Palace, 
they  are  not  attributable  to  us. 

We  are  satisfied  to  rest  our  case  on  these  facts.  Our  object  being  merely 
to  refute  unfounded  attacks  upon  us,  it  is  not  our  purpose  to  demonstrate 
the  real  sources  of  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  public.  We  write  to  exculpate 
ourselves,  not  to  inculpate  others. 

Having  now  concluded  what  we  very  unwillingly  have  been  forced  to 
make,  a  somewhat  egotistical  statement,  we  cannot  bring  our  labor  to  an 
end  without  expressing  our  obligations  to  those  gentlemen  wdio  were 
employed  in  our  department,  and  among  whom  we  have  particular  pleasure 
in  mentioning  Messrs.  Kroehl,  O.  Diez,  A.  Bauer,  J.  Kay,  and  A.  Monte 
LiLLA.    As  for  ourselves  we  have  not  received  any  advice  from  those 

*  Several  montlis  before  the  decoration  of  the  Palace  was  taken  in  contemplation  hy  tlie  Board 
■we  had  forwarded  to  Mr.  Baxter,  of  London,  our  design  for  the  exterior.  This  design  will  be 
found  at  the  beginning  of  our  work. 


22 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


gentlemen  wlio  were  engaged  in  the  superintending  or  consulting  depart- 
ment, especially  as  we  never  were  honored  with  any  kind  of  private  or  offi- 
cial conference  with  the  latter.  To  Messrs.  Fox  &  Henuersox  we  are 
indebted  for  the  system  of  columns  and  girders.  For  the  main  construc- 
tion of  the  rest  of  the  building,  its  excellences  or  defects,  we  alone  are 
responsible. 

"We  do  not  make  this  address  because  we  have  wrongs  to  redress,  but 
because  there  arc  false  impressions  to  be  removed,  and  liaving  from  a  feeling 
of  what  wc  owe  to  ourselves  endeavored  to  set  tlie  matter  right  with  tlie 
public,  we  shall,  witliout  further  comment,  respectfully  leave  it  in  their 
hands. 

G.    CaRSTENSEN   &   C.  GlLDElIEISraR, 

Architects  of  the  New  Yorh  Crystal  Palace. 

New  York,  Fehrtiary  14,  1854. 

/ 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  BUILDING. 


TiiE  materials  used  in  the  construction  are  mainly  iron  and  glass, — wood 
only  being  employed  in  tlie  floors,  doors,  and  sashes. 

The  plan  will  be  readily  understood  by  the  plates.  Tlie  central  part  is 
surmounted  by  the  dome,  71  feet  from  the  floor  to  the  spring  of  the  arch, 
which  rests  on  24  columns,  IG  of  which  form  two  concentric  regular  octagons, 
the  one  inscribed  within,  the  other  circumscribed  outside  a  circle  of  100 
feet  diameter ;  the  distance  of  the  columns  in  the  latter,  41  feet  5  inches,  thus 
determines  the  width  of  4  naves,  radiating  from  the  centre,  and  carried  up  to 
a  height  of  67  feet  from  the  ground  floor  to  the  ridge  of  the  roof.  On  each 
side  of  the  naves  the  aisles  extend  to  the  same  length,  each  54  feet  wide, 
and  carried  tlirough  2  stories  to  a  heiglit  of  50  feei  from  the  first  floor  to  the 
highest  point  of  the  ceiling.  The  naves  with  the  aisles  form  in  this  manner 
a  Greek  cross,  over  tlie  centre  of  wliich  the  dome  rises,  and  the  spaces  iu 
the  exterior  angles  of  the  cross  are  fitted  up  with  triangular  lean-tos,  one 
story  24  feet  high,  giving  to  the  ground  plan  on  the  first  fioor  the  form  of 
a  nearly  regular  octagon,  at  each  angle  of  which  an  octagonal  tower  of  8 
feet  diameter  rises  to  a  height  of  71  feet. 

The  Avhole  space  thus  inclosed,  with  the  exception  of  the  central  part 
under  the  dome,  and  the  4  naves,  is  divided  by  columns  27  feet  apart  from 
their  centres  into  square  and  triangular  compartments  or  bays,  as  shown  on 
the  ground-plan.  On  three  sides  of  the  building  project  entrance  halls  cor- 
responding in  width  with  the  naves,  and  27  feet  deep,  with  offices  attached 
to  each  side,  27  feet  wide  by  18  deep,  and  subdivided  into  two  stories,  the 
upper  ones  being  accessible  from  the  platforms  of  the  adjoining  staircases 
in  the  main  building.  The  fourth  side,  situated  towards  the  Croton  Eeser- 
voir,  is  left  without  an  entrance. 

The  second  story  extends  over  the  aisles,  and  over  two  bays  of  each  nave, 
thus  forming  an  uninterrupted  gallery  of  54  feet  width  around  the  whole 
building,  and  accessible  from  all  parts  of  the  structure  by  12  large  stair- 
cases, 4  of  which  are  placed  under  the  dome,  and  8  at  the  ends  of  the 
aisles  near  the  entrance  halls ;  8  winding  stairs  in  the  towers  facilitate  the 
communication  between  both  stories  for  the  ofiicers  of  the  Association. 

Three  large  balconies  over  the  entrance  halls  and  ofiices  are  approached 
from  the  galleries.    The  building  presents  3  principal  fronts  to  the  three 


24: 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


Streets  which  inclose  it,  the  architecture  of  which  is  sufficiently  shown  in 
tlie  accomiianying  plates. 

After  the  original  i)lan  had  been  adopted,  and  the  structure  commenced, 
it  was  found  necessary  to  furnish  additional  space,  for  whicli  purpose  the 
machine  arcade  was  attached  to  the  eastern  side  of  the  building.  The 
space  between  the  latter  and  the  Croton  Reservoir  was  thereby  nearly  filled 
up,  a  narrow  passage  of  5  feet  widtli  only  l^eing  left  according  to  the 
requisition  of  the  Croton  Department.  The  length  of  this  arcade  is  451 
feet  5  inches,  its  greatest  width  75  feet,  and  that  of  the  two  story  building 
21  feet;  the  first  story  is  partly  of  the  same  height  as  in  tlie  main  building, 
the  lower  parts  or  sheds  are  from  13  feet  4  inches  to  IG  feet  4  inches  high, 
and  the  second  story  which  connects  with  the  galleries  of  the  main  build- 
ing, and  forms  a  picture  gallery,  with  a  skylight  extending  almost  its 
entire  length,  is  18  feet  9  inches  high  without  the  skylight,  which  rises  5 
feet  6  inches  higher. 

I.  FOUNDATIONS. 

The  foundations  were  started  2  feet  G  inches  below  the  ground,  on  a 
base-course  of  large  stones,  respectively  5  and  4  feet  wide,  and  8  inches 
thick,  diminishing  in  thickness  as  they  ai^proacli  the  surface,  from  wdiich 
point  the  walls  are  built  perpendicularly  of  blue  building  stone,  all 
laid  in  lime  and  sand  mortar,  and  covered  with  a  coping  5  inclies  thick, 
and  from  1  foot  G  inches  to  2  feet  wide.  In  consequence  of  the  grade  of 
ground  this  coping  is,  on  the  eastern  side,  near  the  Croton  Reservoir,  laid 
immediately  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  whereas  on  the  part  facing 
the  6th  Avenue  it  is  placed  on  walls  carried  up  to  a  height  of  about  7  feet. 
The  columns  in  the  interior  rest  on  isolated  piers,  built  in  the  same  manner, 
and  covered  with  granite  caps  ;  those  columns  which  stand  in  pairs  having 
a  common  pier  for  support.  Before  the  coping  and  granite  caps  were  laid, 
the  upper  surface  of  the  masonry  was  carefully  levelled,  and  before  the  iron 
structure  was  raised,  the  same  process  was  repeated,  and  also  the  centres  for 
each  column  marked  on  the  stones.  Drains  from  diff'erent  parts  of  the 
building  to  receive  the  rain-water  from  the  roofs  through  the  hollow 
columns  were  built  at  the  same  time,  of  brick  laid  in  hydraulic  cement, 
discharging  into  the  street  sewers. 

n.  COLUMNS. 


Tlie  columns  employed  are  of  two  different  thicknesses.  Those  of  8  inches 


GENEKAL  DESCRIPTION  COLUSINS. 


25 


diameter  (PI.  HI.,  Fig.  1)  are  of  an  octagonal  section  with  circular  bore, 
and  support  the  main  ]xirt  of  the  construction.  The  others  are  four  inches 
in  diameter.  Some  of  an  octagonal  section  are  employed  in  the  towers, 
and  to  su])port  the  stairs;  others  of  a  section  as  shown  on  PI.  III.,  Fig.  13, 
a  (u  are  employed  in  the  inclosure  of  the  building,  showing  to  the  outside 
lialf  an  octagon,  to  the  inside  half  a  square  with  chamfered  corners.  A 
third  kind,  forming  the  corners  of  the  towers,  is  of  an  octagonal  section 
with  two  flanges  to  receive  the  plates  forming  the  inclosure,  PI.  Y.,  Fig.  7. 

A.  8-IXCH  COLUMNS. 

Tliey  consist,  according  to  the  height  of  the  different  parts  of  the  building, 
of  several  pieces  connected  by  screwdjolts.  Those  in  the  first  story,  190 
in  number,  PI.  III.,  Fig.  1,  are  composed  of  three  distinct  parts  :  A  the  base 
piece,  consisting  of  a  base-plate  Ih  feet  srpiare  and  Ih  inches  in  thickness, 
and  a  shaft  of  the  same  section  as  that  of  the  column,  connected  with  the 
plate  l)y  4  strengthening  ribs.  The  t«ip  extends  to  four  lugs  of  '2\  inches  in 
thickness,  with  holes  corresponding  with  tliose  of  the  shaft  of  the  column, 
by  which  both  parts  are  bolted  together.  The  centres  of  the  screw  holes  are 
uniformly  5^  inches  from  the  centre  of  the  column,  and  1^  inches  from  the 
outside  of  the  lug.  The  whole  height  of  the  base-pieces  is  ■!  feet  6^  inches, 
and  they  rest  on  the  coping  of  the  foundation  walls  and  piers  of  masonry, 
which  are  carried  up  to  a  height  of  inches  under  the  floor.  As  the 
columns  under  the  dome  are  arranged  in  pairs,  their  base-pieces  are  united 
by  a  separate  bed-plate,  to  which  they  are  fastened  by  four  Ih  inch  bolts 
and  two  keys.  PI.  III.,  Fig.  T*,  shows  the  plan  and  elevation  of  those  base- 
pieces,  also  indicating  the  different  positions  of  the  lugs.  PL  III.,  Fig.  2 
sliows  the  base-pieces,  with  outlet  pipes  for  the  rain-water,  which  is  con- 
veyed through  the  columns.  As  their  number  was  found  insufficient,  a  por- 
tion of  the  other  base-pieces  were  afterwards  provided  with  lead  outlet  pipes. 
The  thickness  of  metal  in  the  base-pieces  varies  according  to  the  weight 
supported  by  them.  Those  under  the  dome,  24  in  number,  are  1^  inches 
in  thickness;  60  supporting  the  naves,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  8  towers,  of 
which  30  are. cast  with  outlet  pipes  VI  of  an  inch;  6i supporting  the  aisles, 
of  which  8  have  outlet  pipes  f  inch  ;  and  42  under  the  lower  parts  of  the 
building,  4  of  which  have  outlet  pipes,  I  inch. 

The  shafts  of  the  columns  (PL  III.,  Fig.  1  B)  through  the  first  story  are 
16  feet  m  inch  long,  of  the  above  described  section,  and  have  lugs  on 

*  PL  III.,  Fig.  7,  8,  9  are  drawn  to  a  scale  of  i  of  an  inch  to  the  foot,  instead  of  ^  of  an  inch 
to  the  foot,  as  erroneously  marked  on  the  plate. 

4 


26 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


both  ends  to  form  tlie  connection  witli  the  base-pieces  and  connecting- 
pieces.  The  higs  at  the  bottom  end,  four  to  each  shaft,  correspond  with 
those  of  the  base-pieces  at  the  top  end ;  some  cohimns  have  four,  others 
three  higs,  corresponding  with  those  of  the  connecting  pieces,  as  specified 
at  another  place. 

The  shafts  of  cohimns  vary  in  thickness  of  metal  as  the  l)ase-pieces,  the 
corresponding  numbers  being  14,  f|,  f,  and  ^  inch  thick ;  the  bolts  corres- 
ponding with  each  thickness  are  of  1:?,  1^,  1  and  |-  inch  diameter. 

A  separate  piece  cojinects  the  columns  of  the  different  stories  with  each 
other,  as  well  as  the  columns  to  the  girders,  and  is  therefore  appropriately 
called  "  connecting-piece  ;"  it  is  shown  on  PL  III.,  Fig.  1  C  to  C^^.  At 
the  top  and  bottom  end  of  each  piece,  snugs  project  3^  inches  from  the 
sides  of  the  octagon,  to  receive  the  girders  between  them :  the  space  be- 
tween these  snugs  is  3  feet  ^  inch  in  the  clear,  i  inch  more  than  the  height 
of  the  girders.  The  number  of  these  snugs  depends  on  the  number  of  gir- 
ders that  each  connecting  piece  has  to  receive,  from  which,  and  from  the 
angle  at  which  the  girders  are  placed,  the  different  arrangement  of  the 
snugs  shown  in  the  figure  result.  The  lugs  for  the  connection  with  the 
shafts  of  the  columns  are  placed  between  those  snugs,  as  may  also  be  seen 
in  the  figure.  The  connecting  pieces  of  the  dome-columns  are  each  pair 
firmly  united  by  cast-iron  cross-braces,  screwed  to  projections  at  the  con- 
necting piece,  formed  for  this  purpose,  PI.  III.,  Fig.  8.  In  each  pair,  one 
connecting  piece  only  is  provided  with  snugs,  as  no  girder  is  attached  to 
the  other.  It  will  be  seen  in  the  ground-plan  of  the  building,  that  at  each 
intersection  of  the  aisles,  2  columns  are  placed  near  together,  their  distance 
being  3  feet  inch  from  centre  to  centre.  Their  connecting  pieces  are 
united  by  similar  cross-braces.  The  whole  height  of  the  connecting  pieces 
is  3  feet  if  inches,  thus  making  the  first  story  24  feet  3|f  inches  high. 

The  shafts  of  the  columns  of  the  second  story  are  of  the  same  thickness 
as  those  of  the  first  story,  and  17  feet  T-J  inches  long.  Of  the  first  thick- 
ness, 16  have  four  lugs  at  the  top  and  bottom  ;  of  the  second  thickness,  8 
columns  have  four  lugs  at  the  top  and  bottom,  and  8  columns  •!  lugs  at  the 
top  and  three  at  the  bottom  ;  of  the  third  thickness,  there  are  76  with  4 
lugs  at  the  top  and  bottom,  and  of  the  fourth  thickness,  32  M'ith  four  lugs 
at  the  top  and  3  at  the  bottom. 

The  connecting  pieces  of  this  story  currespond  in  thickness  with  their 
columns,  and  are  of  the  same  heiglit  as  those  of  the  first  story,  ii)  of  them 
are  cast  with  brackets  to  receive  the  arches  over  the  nave  (PI.  III.,  Fig.  9). 
Of  the  second  thickness  there  are  8  like  C"^,  and  8  like  0"^  with  shoul- 
ders for  braces  ;  of  the  tliird  thickness,  44  are  like  C,  and  32  like  PI.  III., 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  FOUl?-INCH  COLUMNS. 


27 


Fig.  9  ;  and  of  the  fourtli  thickness,  32  are  like  C.  The  total  height  of  the 
second  stoiy  is  21  feet  ^  inch.  The  third  story  columns  are  only  of  three 
different  thicknesses,  viz.  if.  Of  the  second  under  the  dome  connected 
in  pairs  by  cross-braces,  Avitli  top  and  bottom  lugs,  the  snugs  of  8  of  their 
connecting  pieces  are  as  shown  in  Fig.  2,  C"^  the  rest  are  as  in  the  lower 
stories.  The  columns  of  the  otlier  thicknesses  have  -i  lugs  at  the  bottom, 
but  none  at  the  top.  Of  the  third  thickness  there  are  8  columns,  their  con- 
necting pieces  having  only  one  pair  of  snugs ;  of  the  fourth  tliickness,  32 
columns  with  two  pairs  of  snugs.  The  total  height  of  the  third  story 
columns  is  15  feet  6  inches. 

B.  4-INCH  COLUMNS. 

These  are  of  semi-octagonal  shape  (PI.  III.,  Fig.  13),  and  are  employed 
in  the  inclosnre  of  the  first,  second,  and  third  stories,  between  the  8-inch 
columns,  the  part  f  n-med  to  an  octagon  lacing  towards  the  outside  of  the 
building.  Their  tliickness  of  metal  is  ^  inch.  In  the  first  story,  122 
of  them  are  placed,  consisting  of  a  base-piece,  shaft,  and  connecting  piece. 
The  base-piece  has  a  base-plate  9  inches  square,  i  inch  thick,  with  four 
strengthening  ribs  extending  upwards  7  inches  (PL  YL,  Fig.  4,  at  a  a).  On 
the  top  they  have  a  flange  6|-  inches  in  diameter,  with  three  holes  for  I 
bolts.    The  height  of  these  base-pieces  is  4  feet  0  inches,  their  number  122. 

The  shafts  of  these  columns  are  of  the  same  shape  (PI.  YL,  Fig.  4  at  a  a), 
and  IG  feet  6  inches  long,  with  a  flange  8  inches  in  diameter  at  the  bot- 
tom, and  75  inches  diameter  at  the  top;  both  flanges  being  1  inch  thick. 
Their  connecting  pieces,  3  feet  2  inches  high  (PL  YL,  Fig.  4  at  C  C),  have 
5  inches  in  diameter,  and  are  provided  with  top  and  bottom  flanges  T-J 
inches  in  diameter,  and  1  inch  thick;  the  distance  betweenthe flanges  being 
3  feet  in  the  clear,  corresponding  with  the  height  of  the  girders,  14  of 
them  cast  together  with  parts  of  the  girders  at  the  outside  ;  6  are  4  inches 
in  diameter,  and  IG  form  standards  in  the  wrought-iron  girders  which  will 
be  described  hereafter.  The  entire  height  of  the  1st  story,  4-inch  columns, 
is  24  feet  2  inches. 

In  the  second  story,  the  columns  consist  of  shafts  and  5-inch  connecting 
j)ieces  of  the  same  shape  and  height  as  those  of  the  lower  story.  The  shafts 
vary  a  little  in  length  ;  those  placed  on  the  trellis  girders  diflfering  from 
those  connected  with  the  lower  story  4- inch  columns.  The  columns  around 
the  galleries  have  chairs  attached  to  receive  the  inverted  trusses  of  the  gal- 
lery floors.  In  all  there  are  64  columns  with  chairs  like  PL  III.,  Fig.  13, 
and  12  withoiit  chairs,  having  round  top  and  oblong  bottom  flanges,  17  feet 


28 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


Ill  inc^i  long,  with  5  inches  connecting-pieces  3  feet  2  inches  in  length  ; 
making  a  total  length  of  15  feet  U  inches.  All  these  shafts  have  round 
flanges  at  tlie  top,  and  oblong  ones  at  the  bottom.  The  rest  of  the  4-inch 
columns  will  be  included  in  the  description  of  the  stairs  and  towers. 

in.  GIRDERS. 

The  girders  employed  are  partly  of  cast,  and  partly  of  wronght  iron. 

A.  CAST-IROX  GIRDERS. 

These  may  be  divided  into  trellis  girders  supporting  the  galleries  and 
roofs— and  outside  girders  as  forming  part  of  the  inclosure,  ring-girders  in 
the  first  and  diamond-girders  in  the  other  stories.  The  trellis-girders  (PI. 
ni..  Fig.  3)  are  3  feet  in  height,  and  vary  in  length  according  to  the  dis- 
tances between  the  columns.  They  have  small  projections  at  each  end 
which  fit  between  the  snugs  of  the  connecting  pieces,  and  are  fastened  to 
them  by  keys.  At  the  bottom,  small  keys  or  tandems  are  cast  to  them, 
while,  at  the  top,  key  seats  are  cut  into  them,  corresponding  to  those  in  the 
snugs.  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  1  shows  the  mode  of  connexion  of  the  girder  with 
the  column.  The  trellis  girders  differ  in  their  sections  according  to  the 
weight  they  have  to  support.  These  sections  are  shown  at  PI.  III.,  Fig.  3, 
the  letters  corresponding  with  those  in  the  elevation.  Each  girder  is  Si 
inches  shorter  than  the  distance  between  the  centres  of  the  columns  to  which 
it  is  attached.  The  first  story  is  spanned  by  176  girders  26  feet3f  inches 
long,  16,  24  feet  i  inch  long,  of  heavy  sections  as  they  support  the  galle- 
ries. Of  light  sections,  there  are  48,  26  feet  31  inches  long,  suj^porting  the 
roofs  over  the  lean-tos.  8  girders,  20  feet  i  inch  long,  connect  the  columns 
under  the  dome,  as  seen  in  the  ground  plan  (PI.  II.,  Fig.  2  c),  6  of  17  feet  3i 
inches  in  length  support  the  balconies  over  the  entrance  halls.  In  the 
second  story,  the  girders  are  all  of  light  sections,  having  merely  to  support 
the  roofs.  136  of  these  are  26  feet  31  inches  long  ;  16,  24  feet  i  inch,  and 
8,  20  feet  ^  inch,  the  latter  connecting  the  columns  of  the  dome.  8  gir- 
ders, 9  feet  in  length,  run  from  the  latter  to  other  girders,  serving  as  sup- 
ports to  some  merely  ornamental  columns  on  the  outside  of  the  dome. 

B.  OUTSIDE  GIRDERS. 

The  outside  girders  of  the  first  story  are  formed  of  several  pieces,  one  of 
^yhich  is  seen  in  PI.  III.,  Fig.  4,  with  its  sections  marked  by  letters  correspond- 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  ARCHES  AND  FANLIGHTS. 


29 


ing  with  those  in  the  elevutioiL  "VYliere  tliese  pieces  join  an  8-inch  cokimn, 
they  are  fastened  to  it  in  tlie  same  maiiner  as  the  trellis  girders.  When 
joining  the  connecting  piece  of  a  -f-inch  colnnin,  they  are  screwed  to  it 
by  six  i  inch  tap-bolts.  Three  of  these  girders  sitnated  over  the  entrance- 
halls  consist  of  5  pieces  each,  viz.  2  pieces  3  feet  3g  inches  long,  cast  to- 
gether with  a  connecting  piece,  and  3  pieces  11  feet  1  inch  long,  making 
a  total  length  of  girder,  including  2  5-inch  connecting  pieces,  of  -tO  feet 
81  inches,  the  distance  between  the  centres  of  the  8-incli  columns  being 
41  feet  5  inches.  Each  lean-to  is  inclosed  by  4  girders  of  a  total  length 
of  37  feet  5  f  f  inches,  making  IG  in  all ;  each  consisting  of  -1  parts,  with 
three  5-inch  connecting  pieces  between  them.  The  two  parts,  ji)ining  an 
8-inch  column,  being  9  feet  |f  inch  long,  the  two  centre  mu  -  H  tt'i  t  ,;  ;  inch, 
the  fronts  of  the  aisles  and  sides  of  the  entrance  halls  arc  incl.Kril  l)y  10 
girders,  composed  of  3  parts,  the  centre  one  of  wliicli  is  S  feet  5|  inches, 
the  two  others  being  each  8  feet  inches  long,  making  the  total 
length,  including  two  5-inch  connecting  pieces,  20  feet  33  inches ;  0  con- 
sisting of  two  parts  each  8  feet  5|-  inches  long,  making  a  total  ot  17 
feet  bi  inches,  including  one  4-inch  connecting  piece ;  and  0  girders 
of  one  piece  8  feet  5f  inches  long.  The  second  aTid  tliird  story  out- 
side girders  are  shown  in  PI.  III.,  Fig.  5,  consisting  of  I'espective  3  and 
5  ditferent  parts;  the  sections  are  the  same  as  in  the  ring-gii'ders  in 
the  first  story.  Four  of  them  under  the  fanlights  are  composed  of  five 
parts  in  the  same  manner  as  the  three  ring-girders  over  the  entrance  halls 
in  the  first  story.  48  girders  in  the  second  story,  and  32  in  the  third  story 
are  20  feet  3f  inches  long,  and  composed  of  three  parts,  like  those  of  the  ^ 
sarae  length  in  the  first  storj';  while  eight  others  in  the  third  story,  nearest  to 
the  dome,  consist  of  three  parts,  one  S  feet  Oi  inches,  the  second  8 
feet  5f  inches,  and  the  third  2  feet  2^f  inches  long,  making  their  total 
length,  including  two  5-inch  connecting  pieces,  24  feet  i  inch.  10 
outside  girders  of  similar  form,  but  of  the  necessary  curve,  encircle  the 
dome  at  the  height  of  the  three  story  girders,  the  radius  of  the  curvature 
being  54  feet  li  inches,  the  chord  for  each  girder  9  feet  llf  inches. 
Cast-iron  louvres  are  attached  to  the  inside  of  the  ring-girders  except  to 
those  over  the  entrance  halls,  which  are  of  wood.  One  of  the  cast-iron 
louvres  is  shown  in  PI.  Y.,  Fig.  13.  Fig.  12  gives  a  view  of  one  as  origi- 
nally contemplated  by  ns,  of  the  same  construction  as  those  employed  in 
the  London  Crystal  Palace,  which  would  have  excluded  the  rain  much 
more  effectiially  than  those  actually  adoj^ted.  To  the  inside  of  the  second 
and  third  story  outside  girders,  wooden  blinds,  similar  to  those  shown  in 
Fig.  13,  are  fastened. 


30 


NEW  YORK  CKYRTAL  PALACE. 


C.   WKOUGIIT-lilON  GIRDERS. 

The  part  of  the  gallerlos  over  the  naves  is  siippoj-ted  hy  12  wronght-iron 
girders,  8  of  which  are  hke  that  shown  on  \'\.  lil.,  Vvj:.  0,  while  i  otliers 
supported  by  three  i-inch  columns,  have  extra  standards  corresponding  to 
those  columns.  They  are  40  feet  81  inches  long,  and  like  the  cast-iron  gir- 
ders, 3  feel  high.  Each  girder  consists  of  a  horizontal  upper  and  lower  flange 
connected  at  their  ends  by  cast-iron  standards  of  the  same  sha]ie  as  the  ver- 
tical ends  of  the  cast-iron  girders,  and  four  middle  standards  at  equal  dis- 
tances from  each  other,  and  the  centres  of  their  respective  columns.  All 
these  standards  and  upper  and  lower  flanges  are  connected  with  each  other 
by  diagonal  ties  of  wrought-iron,  secured  by  means  of  rivets,  the  size  of 
which  is  proportioned  to  the  strain  they  have  to  endure.  The  fiistening  to 
the  colunnis  is  the  same  as  in  the  other  girders. 

The  top  flange  consists  of  2  lengths  of  angle  iron,  placed  one  inch  apart ; 
the  lower  flange  is  made  of  2  lengths  of  flat  iron  placed  one  inch  apart,  the 
iron  being  4xi  inch  at  each  end,  and  8x1  inch  in  the  middle.  As  these 
girders  are  40  feet  81  inch  long,  and  as  the  havs  run  about  16  feet  in 
length,  we  adopted  the  >y>tcm  i>\'  sjiliciiig  as  being  more  secure  than  weld- 
ing. The  upper  flange  wa^  spliced  in  tlie  fallowing  manner: — In  the 
space  of  one  inch  between  the  angle  irons  is  filled  two  pieces  of  ^-inch  fiat 
iron,  4  inches  wide  and  1  foot  4  inches  long  are  placed,  the  whole  of  which, 
is  riveted  together  with  4  g-inch  rivets.  On  the  top  iron  plates  f  of  an 
inch  in  thickness,  the  width  being  the  same  as  that  of  the  flange,  and  1 
foot  4  inches  long,  are  riveted  Avith  8  3-inch  rivets.  The  lower  flange 
is  spliced  in  a  similar  manner,  by  riveting  2  plates  of  flat  iron,  each  i 
inch  thick  between,  and  1  plate  of  J-inch  flat  iron  to  each  side  of  the 
lower  rail,  with  4  g-inch  rivets,  the  splicing  plates  being  1  foot  4  inches 
long. 

Some  of  these  girders,  after  being  put  into  their  places,  showed 
some  defects  in  their  lower  flange  and  the  diagonals,  after  the  floors 
were  tested  with  a  weight  of  SSlbs.  to  the  scpiare  foot.  In  consequence  of 
this,  tie-rods  extending  from  the  top  of  the  second  story  columns  were 
employed  to  relieve  the  standards  nearest  to  the  columns,  which  produce  a 
very  bad  effect  to  the  eye,  although  the  same  security  might  have  been 
attained  by  ordinary  inverted  trusses  under  the  floor,  such  as  were  placed 
according  to  our  advice  under  four  of  these  girders  by  Mr.  Kroehl,  the 
assistant  engineer. 


GENERAL  DESCEIPTIOX  STAEKCASES. 


31 


lY.    ARCHES  AXD  FAXLIGHTS. 

Cast-iron  arches  (PL  II.,  Fig.  -1,  and  sections)  supporting  tlie  roofs  over 
the  naves,  are  phaced  between  and  tastened  to  the  3rd  story  columns  by  ^- 
inch  tapdjolts.  They  rest  vith  their  l)ase  on  tlie  braclcets  of  the  second 
story  connecting  pieces,  vliicli  liave  ah'eady  been  described.  Tlie  arches 
are  40  feet  7  inches  wide,  from  their  Ijasedine  to  their  top  22  feet  6  inches 
liigh,  and  cast  in  seven  pieces,  one  of  wliich  f  nnns  the  keystone.  The  ends 
of  the  pieces  are  bolted  together  by  3-inch  Ixilts,  and  keys  driven  into  key- 
seats,  cut  in  their  flanges,  which,  at  the  joints,  have  been  faced  so  as  to  fit 
well.  There* are  20  of  these  arches  in  tlie  building,  S  of -which  have  key- 
stones differing  from  the  remainder,  as  will  l)e  shown  in  the  description  of 
the  dome. 

At  the  end  of  each  nave  is  a  fanlight  of  the  same  exterior  dimensions  as 
the  arches.  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  18,  with  its  sectinns,  sliuws  a  part  of  this  fanlight. 
It  has  a  semicircular  centre-piece,  wherein  are  fastened  small  half-round 
columns,  which  support  anotlier  semicircidar  piece  of  section  c  c  cast  in 
two  parts,  into  which,  and  ci^rresjx mdiiig  with  tlie  abrive  mentioned  small 
half  round  culunms,  are  jilafcd  others  ot' larger  diiaen-ion<,  but  of  similar 
description  (section  d  d  ),  which  sustain  the  large  out>i(le  ring,  whose  section 
is  shown  at  I)  h.  Over  this  is  raised  the  top  of  the  light  which  corresponds 
with  the  inclination  of  the  roof.  On  account  of  the  lightness  of  metal,  and 
large  si;rface  of  the  fanlight,  it  was  found  necessary  that  it  should  be  cast 
in  several  small  pieces.  For  instance,  the  centre  piece,  the  half  round  co- 
lumns, the  2  pieces  of  the  intermediate  semicircle  were  cast  separately,  and 
the  external  arch  in  12  distinct  pieces,  one  of  the  joints  of  wdiich  is  shown 
at  a  a.  Behind  this  frame,  and  fastened  to  it,  are  wooden  sashes.  The 
fanlight  is  braced  against  the  action  of  the  wind  l)y  a  system  of  horizontal 
wronght-iron  trusses,  similar  to  the  vertical  sujiports  of  the  gallery  floors. 
It  rests  upon  a  sill  1  foot  1  inch  high,  placed  on  the  top  of  the  outside 
girder,  and  stiffened  by  a  system  of  trusses  like  those  of  the  fanlights. 

V.  STAIllCASES. 

On  the  outside  are  three  flights  of  steps,  leading  from  the  streets  to  the  main 
entrances  (PI.  II.,  Figs.  1  &  3).  They  are  31  feet  6  inches  wide,  and  sup- 
ported by  7  cast-iron  string-pieces,  the  bases  of  wdiich  rest  on  piers  biiilt  of 
brick,  capped  with  blue  stone,  and  the  upper  ends  resting  on  the  top 
of  the  foundation  walls  of  the  building.  Seven  steps  on  the  south,  15  on 
the  west,  and  nine  on  the  north  side,  of     inches  rise,  and  13  inches  width, 


32 


NEW  YORK    CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


lead  from  the  sidewalk  to  the  entrance  halls;  tlie  steps  are  made  of  ^yellow 
■p'mc  1^-inch  plank  bolted  to  the  strinrj-pieccs  ;  the  risers  are  of  cast-iron. 

Fonr  staircases  from  under  the  donie,*  and  eight  in  the  naves,  lead  from 
the  first  floor  to  the  galleries,  PI.  I.  &  IL,  Fig.  1.  The  steps  have  7^  inches 
rise,  and  Hi-  inches  treaders.  Those  leading  from  the  naves  have  a  platform 
27  feet  long,  9J  feet  wide,  12  feet  7}  inches  above  the  hnver  floor,  and 
supported  by  two  S-inch,  and  six  -1-inch  columns  of  octagonal  shape, 
having  a  base  -i  feet  (1  inches  high,  the  shaft  being  cast  together  with  the 
connecting  piece,  to  which  are  bolted  8  cast-iron  trellis  girders  2  feet  high, 
and  nf  a  light  section.  2  flights  of  21  steps,  7  feet  9  inches  wide,  lead  from 
the  lower  floor  to  this  platform,  and  one  flight  of  19  steps,  8  feet  7  inches 
wide,  from  there  to  the  g:ilh'rv.  The  steps,  which  are  of  yellow  pine  1 
inch  plank,  are  supported  l)y  two  wrought-iron  string-pieces,  2  feet  high, 
made  of  2  rails  of  2xf  incli  flat  inm,  i  inch  apart  (PI.  IV.,  Fig.  14).  The 
lateral  connexion  is  formed  by  a  kind  of  trusses  of  IS  inch  flat  iron,  as 
seen  in  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  15,  showing  the  front  view  of  this  arrangement.  The 
string-pieces  are  fastened  at  the  top  to  the  girders,  and  at  the  bottom  to  a 
cast-iron  shoe  (PI.  IV.,  Fig.  16,  A  B  &  C),  resting  on  the  floor  beams.  The 
string-pieces  of  the  upper  flight  are  fastened  at  the  top  by  cast-iron  stan- 
dards (PI.  IV.,  Fig.  17),  to  tlie  girders  supporting  the  gallery  floors,  and  at 
the  bottom  to  the  connecting  pieces  of  the  i-inch  columns  (PI.  IV.,  Fig.  li). 
The  stairs  under  the  dome  have  two  lower  flights  of  16  steps,  each  leading 
to  the  first  platform,  arranged  in  a  semicircle,  of  which  one  dome  column 
forms  the  centre  (PI.  II. ,  Fig.  1),  the  steps  are  in  the  middle,  11 2  inclies 
broad.  Tlie  inside  string-piece  is  curved  to  a  radius  of  S  feet  6  inches,  and 
the  outside  to  a  radius  of  16  feet  10  inches  in  the  ground  plan,  making  the 
width  of  the  stair  8  feet  4  inches.  The  string-pieces  are  fixstened  at  the  lop 
to  the  connecting  pieces  of  the  -l-incli  colunms  supporting  the  platform,  and 
at  the  bottom  to  cast-iron  shoes  (PI.  IV.,  Fig  16).  The  platform  is  supported 
by  6  ■1-inch  octagonal  columns,  7  feet  10y\  inches  long,  and  a  5- 
inch  connecting  piece  2  feet  1  inch  high.  They  are  connected  l)y  6  girders, 
one  of  which  is  carved  to  the  radius  of  S  feet  6  inches.  From  this  platform, 
two  other  flights  at  right  angles  with  each  other  (PL  IL,  Fig.  2),  and  6 
feet  v:i(le,  lead  to  the  next  platf  irm,  16  feet  9^  inches  above  the  ground 
floor,  which  is  supported  by  four  -l-ineh  columns,  the  shafts  of  them  being 
10  feet  7tV  inches,  the  base  pieces  4  feet  6  inches,  and  connecting  pieces  2 

*We  cannot  omit  to  remark,  (hat  tin?  Supei'iutenJiiig  Engineer  strongly  insisted  upon  lia\'- 
ing  Hk'  four  shiireascs  iinik-i-  (liu  dome  taken  away  at  the  last  hour,  when  they  were  rqiscd 
and  nearly  tluirhed. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTIOX— GALLEKIE5. 


33 


feet  1^  inches  long,  making  tlieir  total  length  1 T  feet  2 inch.  These  columns 
are  united  by  four  girders,  two  of  which  are  arched.  From  each  of  these 
platforms,  another  flight  of  13  steps  leads  to  the  galleries  (PI.  IV.,  Fig.  1-1). 

YI.  GALLEEIES. 

A  ground-plan  of  the  galleries  is  shown  in  PI.  II.,  Fig.  2.  The  galleries 
are  suppijrted  mainly  by  the  girders,  their  -weight  l)eiiig  brouglit  directly 
on  the  standards  of  the  latter.  PI.  III.,  Figs.  10,  11,  12,  13,  and  II,  show 
tlie  arrangement  of  the  gallery  floors.  Wooden  binders  B  27  feet  long, 
of  10  X  3  inch  wliite  pine  timber,  run  from  the  standards  of  one  of 
the  girders  U>  thijse  of  the  opposite  one  ;  they  are  supported  at  two  in- 
termediate points  by  inverted  trusses,  A,  of  IJ  inch  round  iron  crossing 
them  at  right  angles,  and  supported  by  chairs  II  and  I  over  the  standards 
of  the  girders  G.  Across  the  binders  B,  and  notched  into  them,  are  the 
joists  F,  of  7x2^  incli  white  pine  timber,  on  Avhich  is  nailed  tlie  lioor 
of  1^  inch  yellow  pine  tongued  and  grooved  planks.  PI.  III.,  Fig.  10, 
shows  a  ground-plan  of  one  srpiare  of  the  gallery  floor  :  Fig.  11  shows 
the  section  of  the  wooden  binders  B,  supported  by  cast-iron  struts,  and 
steadied  by  brackets  C.  Tlie  truss-rods  Avhich  support  the  binders  are 
fastened  at  one  end  to  a  shoe  I,  of  which,  Fig.  II,  A  is  a  top  view,  B  a  front 
A-iew,  and  C  a  vertical  section.  One  of  the  •1-inch  colunms  II  with 
chairs  attached  receives  the  other  end  of  the  rod,  and  is  illustrated  by  Fig. 
13,  A  I)  A:  Csliowiug  pUin,  front  view,  and  section.  One  of  the  joists  D, 
running  parallel  Avith  the  trusses  at  right  angles  with  the  binder  B,  and 
resting  with  its  ends  in  the  shoes,  is  shown  in  Fig.  11  ;  the  ends  of  the  other 
joists  F,  are  supported  by  the  top  flange  of  the  girders.  Fig.  12  shows  the 
mode  of  connecting  the  cast-iron  strut  with  the  joists  D  D  and  the  binder 
B.  Between  the  two  joists  D  D  an  iron  saddle  is  put,  which  serves  to 
keep  the  struts  in  their  position  by  means  of  a  i  incli  bolt  passing  through  the 
binder.  E  is  the  flooring  plank,  and  C  the  front  view  of  the  wooden  bracket. 
Those  girders  which  are  in  the  middle  of  the  galleries  have  double  chairs 
for  receiving  the  trusses,  while  the  otliers  have  either  a  single  chair  as  in 
Fig.  II,  or  a  chair  attached  to  the  column  as  in  Fig.  13.  The  binders  are 
hung  to  the  girders  by  oaken  blocks  7x3  inches,  and  bolted  to  the  former 
by  I  inch  bolts. 

The  ground  floor  is  constructed  in  the  following  way :    The  binders, 
12x3  inches,  are  supported  at  their  ends  by  wrought-iron  stirrujjs  resting  on 
the  foundation  walls  and  piers,  and  at  intermediate  points  about  9  feet  apart, 
they  are  supported  by  piles  on  the  eastern,  and  small  brick  piers  on  the 
5 


34 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


western  side  of  the  building.  Across  these  binders,  joists  of  7x2  Inches 
are  placed,  to  -which  the  floor  of  1?  inch  yellow  pine  is  nailed,  the  plank 
being  placed  about  f  inch  apart,  to  facilitate  the  sweeping,  and  increase 
tlie  ventilation. 

VII.  EOOFS. 

The  ground-plan  of  the  roofs  over  the  lean-tos  is  shown  in  PI.  IV.,  Fig. 
2.  Their  pitch  is  one  inch  to  the  foot.  On  the  outside-girders  are  fastened 
cast-iron  shoes  which  receive  the  rafters,  the  inverted  trusses  supporting  the 
purlins,  and  the  gutters.  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  10,  shows  a  shoe  which  is  fastened  to  a 
girder ;  Fig.  11  one  fastened  to  the  top  of  a  4-inch  column  receiving  the  eyes  of 
a  truss-rod.  On  the  8-inch  columns  are  placed  gutter  shoes  shown  in  Fig.  12. 
These  receive  a  top  ornament  like  L,  PL  IV.,  Fig.  1.  Fig.  8  shows  one  of 
tlie  standards  bolted  on  the  top  of  the  girders,  and  supporting  the  purlins. 
Similar  ones  are  placed  over  the  columns,  their  lugs  corresponding  to  the  top 
of  the  columns.  Their  length  varies  ;  the  first  row  of  standards  next  to  the 
outside  girders  which  form  the  base  of  the  triangle,  is  the  lowest,  being  8-^ 
inches ;  those  next  to  the  top  are  the  highest,  being  4  feet  51  inches.  The 
intermediate  ones  are  each  6k  inches  higher  than  those  next  below  them. 
Between  the  flanges  at  their  top  are  placed  the  purlins,  which  are  made 
of  2  pieces  of  2xi  inch  angle  iron  placed  i  inch  apart,  and  trussed  by  f 
inch  truss-rods.  PI.  IV.,  Figs.  6  &  7  show  the  difi'erent  plans  for  trussing  the 
roofs.  Fig.  9  shows  a  side  view,  a  front  view,  and  a  section  at  a  «  of  the 
hanging  struts  belonging  to  the  different  systems  of  trussing.  On  the  top 
of  the  purlins  are  fastened,  by  means  of  cast-iron  shoes,  the  rafters,  which 
are  made  of  2  lengths  of  2xi  inch  iron,  H  inches  apart,  which  space  is 
fllled  Avith  strips  of  plank  on  which  to  nail  the  boards.  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  8  shows 
a  purlin  of  angle  iron  resting  between  the  flanges  on  the  top  of  the  stan. 
dards,  and  above  the  purlins  the  cast  iron  shoe,  which  holds  the  rafter,  a  sec- 
tion of  which  is  given.  Tlie  other  flgure  gives  a  section  of  the  purlin, 
with  side  view  of  shoe  and  rafter.  The  purlins  run  parallel  with  the  out- 
side girder,  and  the  rafters  run  perpendicular  to  them. 

Plate  IV.,  Fig.  3,  shows  the  ground-plan  of  the  roof  over  the  aisles. 
The  pitch  of  the  roof  is  one  inch  to  the  foot.  Where  the  two  arms  of  the 
cross  meet,  they  form  a  valley,  part  of  which  is  shown  in  the  plan  ;  this  is 
supported  by  valley-rafters  of  extra  dimensions.  From  tlie  second  colunm 
in  the  nave  to  the  corner  of  the  aisles  a  hip  is  formed,  supported  in  the 
same  manner.  These  hip  and  valley-rafters  are  formed  uf  two  3  X  t  inches 
angle  iron  placed  I  of  an  inch  apart.    They  are  trussed  by  1-iiich  ruund  rods, 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  PANELS.  35 

as  shown  by  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  5.  The  struts  are  similar  to  those  already  de- 
scribed. PL  IV.,  Fig.  4,  is  the  plan  of  a  roof  over  one  of  the  naves.  Tlie 
purlins  of  these  roofs  are  supported  on  shoes  by  the  arches  which  span  the 
naves,  and  trussed  with  two  struts  in  each  system.  In  this  figure,  A  A 
are  the  columns,  B  a  wrought-iron  girder  between  the  two  arches  next  to 
the  dome,  also  forming  the  ridge-pole,  C  C  are  the  pui-liiis.  D  D  the  rafters, 
E  the  outside-girder,  and  F  the  top  of  the  fanlight.  The  ridge-pole  is 
formed  of  two  lengths  of  3  x  3  x  f  inches  angle-iron  placed  one  inch 
apart,  with  studs  between  them,  and  riveted  together  every  three  feet  by 
f  inch  rivets.  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  13,  shows  a  gutter-shoe  of  the  nave,  with  the 
lower  part  of  the  rafter  and  roof ;  also  the  cornice  moulding,  which  will  be 
hereafter  described. 

VIII.  PANELS. 

The  spaces  between  the  columns  under  the  windows  of  the  first  story 
are  filled  with  cast-iron  panels,  which  are  shown  in  PI.  III.,  Fig.  15.  Tliey 
are  cast  with  mouldings  on  tlieir  outer,  and  strengthening  ribs  on  their 
inner  side,  and  are  bolted  with  3  5-inch  tap-bolts  to  the  columns,  the  joints 
being  caulked  with  lead.  Each  piece  has  nine  openings  for  reducing  the 
weight  and  for  ventilation.  Those  at  the  top  a  are  covered  by  the 
moulding  of  the  surbase,  the  middle  ones  h  are  larger  and  are  fitted  with  lou- 
vres at  the  inside,  as  shown  in  PI.  V.,  Fig.  13,  in  front  view  and  section,  see 
also  PI.  IV.,  Fig.  1,  N.  The  openings  at  the  bottom  c  are  covered  by  the 
base-mouldings.  These  panels  are  4  feet  10|-  inches  high  :  30  of  them 
are  8  feet  6^  inches  long;  12,  placed  between  the  8-inch  columns  18  feet 
apart,  are  8  feet  6  inches  long.  The  dotted  lines  in  the  figure  show 
the  length  of  the  panels  in  the  lean-tos,  in  the  inclosing  of  which  the 
principal  columns  are  38  feet  2y%  inches  apart,  with  4  panels  and  3  4-inch 
columns  between  two  of  them.  The  length  of  each  panel  is  9  feet  1  h 
inches,  and  there  are  42  pieces  of  them.  Of  the  panels  next  to  the  towers 
which  are  cast  without  the  opening  c,  6  are  5  feet  1^-  inches  long,  and  (3 
others  4  feet  lOi  inches.  PL  III.,  Fig.  16,  shows  the  panels  of  the  second 
story  in  front  of  the  aisles,  having  a  height  of  4  feet  1  inch  and  a  length 
of  8  feet  6|  inches  ;  of  these  there  are  30  :  6  more  are  of  the  same  height, 
but  only  4  feet  lOf  inches  long;  they  are  cast  without  openings.  Fig.  17 
shows  the  panels  which  were  proposed  for  the  sides  of  the  aisles,  instead 
of  which  others  of  sheet  iron  were  employed.  In  the  original  plan  also 
in  the  third  story,  at  the  sides  of  naves,  panels  were  arranged  similar  to 
those  shown  in  PL  V.,  Fig.  23.    Their  lower  part  forms  arches  resting  on 


36 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


the  girders  and  bolted  to  the  columns.  Their  height  is  5  feet  4i  inches, 
64  being  8  feet  6|  inches  long,  and  8  2  feet  3|  inches  long;  48  others  of 
the  same  height,  and  8  feet  6f  inches  long,  have  a  base  of  the  same  in- 
clination as  the  pitch  of  the  hip  over  the  aisles.  The  outside  is  shown  in 
PI.  Y.,  Fig.  20.  Instead  of  these,  however,  the  space  was  inclosed  with 
sheet-iron.  PI.  V.,  Fig.  23,  shows  the  panels  in  the  dome,  of  which  there 
are  16,  corresponding  in  height  to  the  arched  panels  at  the  side  of  the 
nave.  They  are  curved  in  the  plan.  The  panels  of  the  entrance  halls 
are  shown  in  PI.  Y.,  Fig.  18.  These  are  2  feet  11^  inches  wide  and  bolted 
to  the  columns.  They  consist  of  a  base  panel  of  the  same  heiglit  as  those 
in  the  first  story,  and  another  which  fills  the  space  between  this  base  pa- 
nel and  the  bottom  flange  of  tlie  upper  girder.  Of  those  there  are  six.  In 
the  second  story  under  the  fanlights  the  space  between  the  4-inch  and 
8-inch  columns,  2  feet  11 5  inches  wide,  is  filled  by  similar  panels  (PI.  Y., 
Fig.  19),  of  which  there  are  six. 

IX.    WATER-TABLE  AND  BASE-MOULDINGS. 

In  PI.  lY.,  Fig.  1,  B  shows  the  water-table,  C  the  base,  E  the  siirbase. 
These  difi"erent  parts  are  each  cast  in  separate  pieces,  namely,  straight  pieces 
and  those  passing  around  the  8-inch  and  the  4-inch  columns.  Tlie  lengths 
correspond  with  those  of  the  panels. 

X.  TOP-MOULDn^GS. 

PI.  lY.,  Fig.  1,  and  PI.  YL,  Fig.  12  and  16,  show  the  mouldings  around 
the  joints  of  the  8-inch  columns  and  connecting  pieces,  and  PL  YL,  Fig. 
14,  those  around  the  joints  of  the  4-inch  columns ;  PI.  lY.,  Fig.  1,  the 
cornice  of  the  building ;  PI.  YL,  Fig.  15  and  17,  give  the  pieces  of  the 
cornice  mitred  around  the  8-inch  columns,  and  Fig.  13  around  the  4- 
inch  columns  and  gutter  shoes.  PL  lY.,  Fig.  13,  shows  the  cornice- 
moulding  on  a  large  scale  ;  the  gutter  shoe  is  bolted  to  the  top  flange  of 
the  girder.  The  dark  line  above  the  roof  planks  and  in  the  gutter  shoes 
represents  the  tin  covering  the  roof,  at  the  end  forming  a  gutter  to  be 
carried  up  and  riveted  to  the  top-flange  of  the  cornice-moulding.  This 
arrangement  was  not  carried  out,  and  the  consequence  Avas  an  overflow  of 
rain  water,  partly  remedied  afterwards  by  soldering  a  piece  of  tin  over 
the  gutter,  according  to  the  dotted  line  A.  - 

The  top  ornaments  shown  in  PL  Y.,  Fig.  21,  with  their  sections  at  a  a 
and  h  h,  are  bolted  to  the  upper  flange  of  the  cornice-mouldings,  and  were 


GENERAL  DESCUIPTIOX  ARCIIKS  OVER  WINDOWS. 


37 


intended  to  keep  the  tin  of  tlie  gutter  down,  and  tlius  produce  a  moi-c  per- 
fect joint.  Tiie  place  over  eacli  4-incli  column  is  marked  by  tlie  mure  ele- 
vated parts  and  over  tlie  S-inch  culunins  by  a  separate  piece  shown  in  PI.  IV., 
Fig.  1,  at  L.  PL  v.,  Fig.  22,  shows  the  ornament  over  the  centre  of  each 
nave,  which  serves  as  a  base  for  an  eagle  with  spread  wings  cast  of  zinc 
and  gilt. 

XI    AECIIES  OVER  WINDOWS. 

PI.  TV.,  Fig.  19  shows  one  of  the  ornamental  arches  in  front  of  the  first 
story  windows,  wdiichare  secured  to  tlie  bi:>ttoin  flange  of  the  outside  girder 
and  to  the  column  ;  their  length  is  like  that  <>f  tlie  panels  in  the  first  story, 
Fig.  20,  those  in  the  second  story,  and  Fig.  21  those  in  the  third  stoiy.  secure<l 
like  the  former.  In  front  of  the  dome-windows  are  l<i  arclies  like  those  of  the 
third  story,  but  curved  according  to  the  circle  of  the  dniue.  J^l.  lY.,  Fig. 
1,  gives  a  section  of  the  inclosure  in  the  lean-to.  A  is  the  foundation 
wall  covered  with  a  blue  stone  coping,  D  the  basepiece,  F  the  shaft,  and 
II  the  connecting  piece  of  a  column,  K  the  ]nnnacle  ci>uneeted  with  a  gut- 
ter-shoe, and  L  the  top-ornament,  B  the  water-table,  (J  the  l)ase-moulding, 
E  the  moulding  of  the  surbase,  G  is  the  lower  and  I  the  ui)per  top-mould- 
ing, covering  the  connexion  of  the  several  pieces,  ]\I  the  openings  in  the 
panels  covered  by  the  mouldings,  a  section  of  the  lower  louvres,  O  the 
window  sash,  P  the  arch  before  the  windows,  Q  a  section  of  the  upper 
louvres,  R  the  gutter  resting  in  its  shoe,  S  the  crowning  ornament  extend- 
ing round  the  whole  building,  T  part  of  a  i-after  with  section  of  roof 
planks,  U  a  piece  of  tie-rod  under  the  roof,  and  Y  the  girder,  showing  the 
mode  of  kejdng  it  to  the  connecting  pieces. 

XII.  TOWERS. 

The  corners  of  the  octagon  formed  l)y  the  building  are  marked  liv  octa- 
gonal towers  (see  the  ground-plan,  PI.  Y.,  Fig.  1),  the  centre  of  each  Ijeiiig 
formed  by  an  8-inc.li  column,  which  is  connected  through  the  girders  with  the 
main  structure,  and  serves  as  main  support  for  the  winding  staircase,  as 
mentioned  under  that  head.  In  each  corner  of  the  tower  stands  a  4-inch 
column,  to  which  the  panels  are  bolted.  In  the  first  and  second  stories 
these  columns  are  put  together  in  the  same  manner,  and  made  of  the  same 
lengths  as  those  in  the  main  building  in  both  stories,  only  the  connecting- 
pieces  are  4  inches  in  diameter.  That  part  of  the  towers  projecting  over 
the  building  is  inclosed  with  panels  between  the  columns,  connecting 


NF,W  YORK  CRY^^TAL  PALACE. 


tliom  at  the  same  time ;  the  lattev  arc  })rovi(led  with  two  flanges  2  inches 
wide,  and  \  an  inch  thick,  PI.  Y.,  Fig.  7.  The  panels  are  i  inch  thick  cast-iron 
}ihites,  secured  to  the  flanges  of  the  columns  by  J-inch  bolts  with  counter- 
snnk  beads  and  six-sided  nuts  ;  they  are  provided,  for  the  purpose  of  light 
and  ventilation,  witb  openings  in  the  flrst,  second,  and  third  stories,  witli 
wooden  louvres  attached  to  them.  Tlie  base  panels  are  formed  with 
mouldings  corresponding  with  those  of  the  other  panels ;  the  rest,  such 
as  water-tables,  base  and  surbase  mouldings,  are  of  exactly  the  same  pro- 
file as  those  running  around  the  whole  building. 

The  inside  part  of  the  towers  is  entirely  open  without  panels,  the  co- 
lumns, which  are  of  regular  octagonal  section,  being  employed,  in  support- 
ing the  circular  stairs  which  lead,  inside  the  towers  to  the  galleries  and 
balconies.  These  winding  stairs  have  one  string-piece  of  wrought- 
iron  fastened  to  the  4r-inch  columns.  The  steps  are  made  of  1-|  inch 
white  pine,  and  seciu-ed  by  small  wrouglit-iron  knees  to  this  string-piece, 
while  the  other  end  is  fastened  in  a  similar  manner  to  the  8-inch'  co- 
lumns. Both  a  ground-plan  and  elevation  of  the  wrought-iron  work  is 
given  in  PL  Y.,  Fig.  11.  The  diameter  of  both  the  first  and  second  story 
of  the  towers  is  8  feet,  while  that  of  the  third  is  6  feet,  with  a  height'  of 
li  feet  6^  inches.  The  fourth  story,  which  is  merely  ornamental,  has  a 
diameter  of  2  feet,  and  is  9  feet  7  inches  high.  Fig.  5  shows  in  an  eleva- 
tion the  combination  of  the  different  parts  of  the  towers  for  one  side  of 
the  octagon.  Fig.  6  gives  a  section  of  the  same,  showing  also  the  8-inch 
column  in  the  centre,  with  a  part  of  the  girders.  Fig.  1  shows  the  plan 
and  the  section  at  a  a  of  the  first  story  :  37  steps  lead  to  the  gallery ;  6 
towers  have  each  5  columns  with  flanges,  and  3  of  an  octagonal  shape, 
with  6  panels.  In  each  of  the  other  two  towers,  standing  partly  in  the 
main  building — partly  in  the  machine  arcade  and  without  staircases,  one 
column  only  is  provided  with  flanges,  and  seven  are  regular  octagons.  The 
second  story  is  shown  in  Fig.  2,  both  ground-plan  and  section  at  a  a.  In 
this  story  of  the  tower  two  of  the  columns  are  octagonal,  and  the  rest  cast 
Avith  two  flanges ;  there  are  in  each  tower  7  panels.  The  connecting 
pieces  are  3  feet  9  inches  high,  and  provided  with  brackets,  to  which  the 
columns  of  the  next  story  are  fastened,  see  Fig.  8.  The  second  stor}^  is 
crowned  with  a  balcony  and  railing,  the  standards  of  which  (Fig.  9)  are 
fastened  to  the  connecting  pieces  by  means  of  sockets  entering  into  the 
bore  of  them.  The  railing  is  given  in  Fig.  5,  front  view,  and  Fig.  6,  sec- 
tion. The  stairs  in  this  story  consist  of  32  steps,  with  a  small  platform  on 
the  middle.  Fig.  3  gives  both  a  ground-plan  and  section  at  a  a  of  the 
third  story,  which  is  entirely  inclosed,  one  of  the  panels  being  on  hinges 


GENERAL  DESCEIPTIOiS^  THE  DOME. 


39 


so  as  to  serve  as  a  door  leading  to  the  balcony  and  roofs  of  the  aisles.  Its 
columns  are  3  inches  in  diameter,  with  two  flanges.  The  top  of  the  third 
story  forms  a  second  balcony,  to  which  a  stair  of  19  steps  leads. 
The  third  stories  of  the  two  towers,  at  the  intersection  of  the  main  and  ad- 
ditional building,  are  used  as  reservoirs  to  supply  the  galleries  with  water, 
the  level  in  the  adjacent  reservoir  not  being  always  of  suflicient  height  to 
produce  the  necessary  pressure  for  this  purpose.  The  8-inch  column  in 
the  centre  of  the  tower  runs  to  the  top  of  the  third  story  ;  to  it  are  attached, 
by  means  of  4  5 -inch  tap-bolts,  brackets  (Fig.  10)  supporting  the  fourth 
story  columns.  The  railing  around  the  upper  balcony  is  projecting  over 
the  sides  of  the  third  story ;  it  is  cast  solid,  and  consists  of  an  outer  orna- 
mental, and  an  inner  plain  plate  of  ^-inch  cast-iron. 

The  columns  in  the  fourth  story  form  a  regular  octagon  of  2  inches  diameter. 
As  already  said,  they  stand  on  braclvets,  fastened  to  the  8-inch  centre 
column,  united  at  the  toj)  by  a  cornice.  A  tube  of  boiler  iron  is  inserted 
between  them,  instead  of  panels.  The  top  is  formed  by  a  cap,  consisting 
of  8  bars  of  flat  iron,  and  covered  with  wood  and  lead.  Through  this 
cap  and  secured  by  it,  passes  the  flagstafl",  24:  feet  high,  resting  with  its 
foot  in  a  shoe,  on  the  top  of  the  central  8-incli  column.  The  flooring  of 
the  balconies  is  made  of  wood,  covered  with  lead. 

XIII.    THE  DOME. 

PI.  I.  and  II.,  Fig.  1,  2,  and  3  show  the  general  form  of  the  dome,  which 
rises  over  the  centre  of  the  building ;  PI.  I.  and  II.,  Fig.  3,  give  sec- 
tions of  the  building,  through  the  centre.  Tlie  fourth  story  columns,  which 
have  not  been  previously  described,  are  octagonal,  8  inches  in  diameter,  9  feet 
9  inches  in  length.  Each  pair  is  connected  by  a  small  cast-iron  girder, 
instead  of  cross  braces.  Their  distance  from  centre  to  centre  is  4  feet 
If  inches.  They  have  lugs  only  at  the  bottom,  corresponding  with  those 
of  the  third  story  columns,  to  which  tliey  are  bolted.  The  thickness  of 
metal  is  -J  inch.  At  each  side  they  are  provided  with  flanges  1  inches 
wide,  and  1  inch  thick,  PI.  Y.,  Fig.,  5  and  G,  which  form  the  end  stan- 
dards of  wrought-iron  trusses,  so  placed  towards  each  other,  that  if 
extended,  they  would  meet  in  the  centre  of  the  column,  and  form  the 
angles  of  a  regular  polygon  of  16  sides.  By  referring  to  the  ground-plan 
it  will  be  seen,  that  each  pair  of  columns  stands  in  one  radius  of  a  circle, 
and  they  may'  therefore,  be  classified  as  outer  and  inner  columns. 

All  the  wrought-iron  trusses  form  two  concentric,  regular  polygons,  of 
16  sides,  4  feet  If  inches  apart,  while  the  lower  stories  form  an  octagon. 


40 


NEW  YOKK   CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


Tlie  distance  between  the  inner  columns,  is  19  feet  5|f  inches  from  centre 
to  centre ;  that  of  the  outer  columns,  21  feet  If  inches.  Between  the 
inner  columns  supj^orting  the  dome,  are  8  wrought-iron  trusses,  19  feet, 
5II-  inches  long ;  and  between  the  outside  columns,  8  others  21  feet.  If 
inches  long,  PL  II.,  Fig.  5.  From  each  inner  column,  near  the  corner  of 
the  nave  to  the  top  of  the  first  arch,  are  8  wrought-iron  trusses,  19 
feet  5||  inches  long ;  and  8  others  21  feet,  II  inches,  i^arallel  with  these, 
complete  the  regular  polygon  of  16  sides  ;  PI.  II.,  Fig.  G.  From  the  nave 
arch  next  to  the  dome,  or  rather  supporting  that  part  of  it  which  rests  on 
the  naves,  to  the  next  arch  in  the  nave,  extends  a  wrought-iron  truss,  2 
feetT^  inches  higli,  PI.  II.,  Fig.  7,  consisting  of  an  upper  and  lower  rail, 
the  upper  one  being  made  of  2  x  2  x  i  inch  angle  iron,  riveted  to  4  x  -J  inch 
flat  iron,  placed  1  inch  apart.  The  lower  rail  is  made  of  4x2  inch  flat 
iron.  The  bars  arc  spliced  like  those  in  the  galleries,  and  like  them, 
have  2  standards,  with  (bagonal  ties  of  4x-J  inch  flat  iron.  The  two  end 
standards  are  cast  together  with  the  keystone  of  their  respective  arches, 
and  of  a  heavier  section  than  the  remainder  of  the  arches.  The  keystone 
B,  of  the  arch  next  to  the  dome,  is  shown  at  Fig.  7,  with  its  section  at  a  a, 
and  in  Fig.  6  is  given  a  front  view.  At  a  distance  of  4  feet  If  inches 
from  the  latter,  is  placed  the  outer  standard  D,  Fig.  7,  a  section  of  which 
is  shown  at  h  h.  Both  these  standards  are  5  feet  Of  inches  in  height,  their 
top  being  on  a  level  with  the  top  of  the  fourth  stoiy  cohimns.  The  two 
standards  next  to  the  dome  in  tliis  Avrought-iron  truss,  are  united  at  the 
top  by  2  lengths  of  3x3x1  inch  angle  iron,  placed  1  inch  apart,  Avith  a 
piece  of  flat  iron  riveted  at  the  top  of  it,  and  by  a  cross  of  4xf  inch  flat 
iron.  There  are  f^ur  of  these  girders,  one  in  each  nave  ;  they  serve  also 
as  ridge-poles,  and  have  shoes  tastened  to  their  top  flanges  supporting  the 
rafters.  The  arched  bottom  rail  of  these  trusses,  between  the  columns, 
starts  at  eacli  end  from  the  foot  of  the  column,  and  at  its  top  is  riveted 
togetlier  with  the  straight  l^ottom-rail  of  the  horizontal  part,  the  span- 
drils  being  filled  witli  flat  iron  rings  (PI.  II.,  Fig.  6).  The  arched  bottom 
rail  of  the  trusses,  running  from  the  corner  column  of  the  dome  to  the 
keystone  of  an  arch,  is  connected  in  a  similar  manner  with  the  horizontal 
part  and  the  keystone  (PI.  II.,  Fig.  6). 

Tlie  horizontal  part  of  each  of  these  trusses  consists  of  a  top  and  a  bot- 
tom rail,  with  diagonal  braces  and  cast-iron  standards,  so  arranged,  that  the 
opposite  ones  in  the  inner  and  outer  truss,  which  are  erpally  united  by 
diagonal  braces  (Fig.  9),  fall  into  the  same  radius  of  the  circle.  The  ends 
of  the  top  and  bottom-rails  are  riveted  to  the  flanges  of  the  colinnns. 
On  the  top  of  these  wrought-iron  trusses,  the  cast-iron  plate  (PI.  II.,  Figs.  8 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  THE  DOME. 


41 


and  9),  supporting  the  rib  of  tlie  dome,  is  placed,  which  consists  of  32 
pieces  bolted  together  by  five  1-J  inch  bolts,  on  flanges  1  inch  thick,  and 
2^  inches  high.  In  the  middle,  each  piece  of  the  bed-plate  has  a  broad, 
solid  piece,  with  projections,  which,  after  being  fitted,  receives  the  shoes  of 
the  ribs,  between  which,  and  other  projections,  keys  are  driven  to  secure 
the  ribs  in  their  phice.  The  thickness  of  the  plate  is  1  inch.  Fig.  8  gives 
a  top  view  of  two  of  these  pieces  ;  A  is  the  place  of  a  rib,  over  the  centre 
of  the  arch,  and  over  each  pair  of  columns  ;  B  is  placed  over  each  diago- 
nal brace,  between  the  two  middle  standards  of  the  wrought-iron  trusses, 
funning  the  fourth  story  of  the  dome;  the  dotted  lines.  Fig.  8,  show  the  top 
rails  of  the  trusses  under  the  plate  ;  Fig.  9  shows  the  diagonal  braces  men- 
tioned above,  and  also  a  section  of  the  bed-plate  at  a  a,  Fig.  8.  Upon  this 
b(!d-plate  the  ribs  were  fastened  by  eight  1-inch  tap-bolts,  and  held  in 
their  place  by  the  keys  above  described.  The  ribs,  of  which  there  are 
32,  consist  of  an  upper  and  lower  flange,  as  seen  in  Fig.  11,  and  are  con- 
nected by  trellis.  Each  flange  consists  of  two  lengths  of  angle  iron,  1  inch 
apart,  spliced  in  the  same  way  as  the  girders;  the  outside  flange  is  72  feet 
5  inches,  the  inside  flange  69  feet  11  inches  long.  The  distance  of  both 
flanges  at  the  bottom  is  18  inches,  and  12  inches  at  the  top.  The  dome 
forms  a  half-sphere  of  100  feet  in  diameter,  tlie  centre  of  which  lies  one 
foot  above  the  level  of  the  bed-plate.  The  outside  flange  of  each  rib  is 
made  at  the  bottom  of  3x3x1  inch  angle  iron,  the  next  parts  of  2f  x  f 
inches,  25X5  inches,  2^xi  inches,  ending  at  the  top  with  angle  iron  of 
2  X  2  X  Jg-  inches. 

The  trellis  is  made  of  2x1  inch  flat  iron,  crossing  and  riveted  to  each 
other,  and  to  the  flanges.  The  ribs  are  fastened  at  their  bottom  to  cast- 
iron  shoes  (PI.  II.,  Figs.  11  and  11).  These  shoes  are  1  foot  10  inches  long, 
10  inches  wide  and  1  inch  thick  ;  in  their  middle  they  have  a  strengthen- 
ing rib,  1  inch  thick,  and  4  inches  high,  with  smaller  flanges  against 
which  the  angle  iron  rests,  to  take  the  strain  from  the  bolts,  with  which  the 
angle  iron  of  the  ribs  is  fastened  to  the  cast-iron.  Fig.  13  shows  the  top 
end  of  one  of  the  ribs,  fastened  to  a  cast-iron  shoe,  the  details  of  which 
are  shown  in  Fig.  15.  These  shoes  are  connected  to  each  other  by  wrought 
iron  braces,  1  foot  2  inches  long,  formed  of  2  flanges  of  I5  xl-|XyV  inch 
angle  iron,  and  united  by  diagonals.  These  32  shoes,  connected  by 
the  braces,  form  the  upper  ring  of  20  feet  diameter  on  which  the  lantern 
rests,  as  is  seen  in  the  section  PI.  I.,  and  in  PI.  II.,  Fig.  3.  It  has  a  height 
of  17  feet  1  inch,  besides  the  top  ornament  around  the  flag-stafl^,  2  feet  4 
inches  high.  Under  the  ring  piece  an  inverted  cone  of  flat  iron  rods  is 
formed,  to  give  the  flag-staff  a  better  support,  the  latter  being  fastened  to 


NEW  YOKK    CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


the  bottom  of  this  cone,  10  feet  below  the  upper  ring,  and  to  the  top  of 
the  lantern,  from  which  to  the  bottom  of  tlie  cone  measures  a  distance  of 
28  feet ;  the  whole  length  of  the  flag-staff"  being  72  feet.  The  lantern  is 
made  of  ribs  of  2xf  inch  flat  iron. 

The  ribs  are  braced  by  diagonal  tie-rods  extending  from  the  inside  flange 
of  one  to  the  outside  flange  of  the  next  rib,  around  the  whole  dome.  These 
braces  are  of  f-inch  round  iron,  and  for  the  purpose  of  adjustment,  meet 
in  a  ring  of  wrought-iron,  their  ends  passing  through  it,  and  being 
kept  in  place  by  screws  and  nuts ;  Fig.  10  shows  the  relative  posi- 
tion of  these  ribs.  The  horizontal  braces,  shown  in  this  figure,  were 
not  employed,  except  in  the  row  next  to  the  lantern.  The  distance 
from  end  to  end  of  the  brace  to  the  other,  on  each  rib,  is  12  feet.  At 
the  base  of  the  dome,  between  the  ribs,  are  32  windows,  the  cast-iron 
frame  of  one  of  which  is  shown  in  Fig.  18,  with  section  at  a  a,  and  h  h. 
At  a  height  of  24  feet  from  the  bed-j^late,  measured  on  the  curve,  are  32  other 
windows,  the  frames  of  whicli  are  of  two  different  forms,  arranged  alternate- 
ly aniund  the  dome  (Fig.  16  and  17).  These  frames  of  light  cast-iron, 
curved  to  a  section  of  a  zone,  rest  on  a  plane  of  frame-work  of  angle 
iron,  fastened  to  the  ribs  of  the  dome.  Wrought-iron  studs  are  placed 
between  both  frames.  All  these  window  frames  are  filled  with  wooden 
sashes.  At  the  foot  of  the  lantern  are  32  more  lights,  2  feet  4  inches 
high,  arranged.  The  dome  is  covered  with  tin  on  boards,  nailed  to  curved 
pieces  of  oak,  2x2  inches,  placed  horizontally  around  the  ribs,  2  feet 
apart.    The  lantern  is  likewise  covered  with  boards  and  tin. 

The  raising  of  the  dome  was  accomplished  in  the  following  manner : 
The  lantern  was  completed  on  the  ground,  and  raised  between  two  poles, 
about  10  feet  higher  than  the  required  height  of  the  dome.  Four  der- 
ricks were  then  placed  on  the  bed-plate  of  the  dome,  by  which  the  ribs, 
brought  to  the  spot,  on  account  of  their  length,  in  three  dift'erent 
pieces  each,  were,  after  having  been  riveted  together  oti  the  ground, 
hoisted  to  their  places,  bolted  and  keyed  to  the  bed-plate,  and  bolted  to 
their  shoes  in  the  upper  ring,  supporting  the  lantern.  When  this  was 
done,  and  the  braces  adjusted,  the  lantern  was  disconnected  from  the 
poles,  which  were  then  removed.  The  coiitract(;rs  for  raising  the  building- 
deserve  great  credit  for  their  skill  in  raising  the  (.luine,  which  was  accom- 
plished in  45  working  days  ;  much  is  also  due  to  the  contractors  for  the 
iron  work,  the  assistant  engineer  superintending  the  whole  construction 
and  erection  of  it,  and  last  but  not  least,  tu  the  efficient  body  of  mecha- 
nics who,  in  sunshine  and  storm,  applied  themselves  steadily  to  their 
labors. 


tk 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  RAILING. 


43 


The  panels  inclosing  the  upper  sti«-y  of  the  dome  and  its  cornice,  are 
shown  in  PL  V.,  Fig.  1  i ;  ])iit  instead  of  the  lower  panel  work,  with  its 
mouldings,  sheet-iron  was  substituted. 

The  outer  surface  of  the  d(~)rae  was  intended  to  he  ornamented  with 
wooden  ribs,  as  shown  in  the  perspective  view,  which  were  ready,  and 
even  brouglit  on  the  ground,  but,  contrary  to  our  wishes,  were  never  put 
in  their  places. 

XIV.    WINDOWS,  SASHES,  AND  DOORS. 

The  window  sashes  are  made  of  pine  wood,  with  cross-bars,  and  glazed 
with  American  window-glass  of  38x16  inches,  and  32x16  inches. 

The  doors  at  the  entrances  slide  upwards,  their  width  being  equal  to  the 
distance  between  the  -i-inch  columns.  They  are  glazed  in  the  upper  part, 
with  panels  at  the  base,  of  the  same  height  as  those  in  the  first  story  inclosure. 
Over  the  door  is  a  stationary  sash,  the  distance  between  the  floor  and  the 
bottom  flange  of  the  girder  being  equally  divided,  thus  making  the 
entrace  10^  feet  high.  Each  entrance  has  three  doors ;  three  sliding 
sashes  provide  access  to  the  balconies  from  the  gallery  in  a  similar 
manner. 

XV.  RAILING. 

PI.  v.,  Fig.  17,  gives  an  elevation  of  the  railing  around  the  galleries. 
It  is  three  feet  in  height,  and  fastened  to  the  columns.  Two  cast-iron 
standards  placed  over  the  vertical  struts  of  the  trellis  girders,  and  bolted  to 
the  floor,  give  additional  firmness.  The  railing  is  made  of  wire-work, 
with  a  black  walnut  top  rail,  2x3  inches.  The  railings  of  the  stairs  follow 
the  same  design. 

PI.  v..  Fig.  15,  gives  the  design  of  a  cast-iron  railing ;  and  Fig.  16,  a 
wrought-iron  one  proposed  for  the  balconies,  but  not  used,  that  of  the 
galleries  being  substituted. 

PI.  VI.,  Fig.  8,  shows  the  railing  designed  to  inclose  the  grounds.  The 
main  posts,  between  which  are  two  smaller  ones,  are  27  feet  apart,  and 
support  lanterns.  In  front  of  the  main  entrance,  are  sliding  gates  of 
the  same  design. 

XVI.   MOULDINGS  OF  THE  COLUMNS. 

The  base  mouldings  of  the  8-inch  columns  are  shown  in  PI.  VI.,  Fig.  10, 
and  those  around  the  4-inch,  in  Fig.  9.   They  are  cast  in  2  pieces,  connect- 


NEW  YORK  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 


ed  by  small  bolts,  secured  in  angles  of  wronght-iron.  The  inside  top 
mouldings  are  cast  of  zinc.  Those  of  the  first  story  are  given  at  Fig.  16, 
of  the  second  at  Fig.  11,  showing  likewise  the  ornamented  brackets,  sup- 
porting the  arches  of  the  nave.  The  mouldings  in  front  of  the  gallery 
floor  are  of  wood,  and  correspond  with  those  around  the  top  joints  of  the 
first  story  columns. 

XVU.    ADDITIONAL  BUILDING. 

The  columns  in  the  two  story  building  are  of  the  same  height  as  in 
the  main  building.  Those  of  the  sheds  are  cast  in  one  piece  each,  being 
on  the  outside  15  feet  4'i  inches  high.  The  row  between  the  outside 
columns  and  those  forming  the  two  story  building,  are  13  feet  Ijj  inches, 
as  the  roof  of  this  part  slopes  towards  the  inside,  1  incli  to  the  foot.  A 
part  of  the  sheds  was  made  higher  than  the  remainder,  to  accommodate 
the  steam  engine  ab-eady  engaged. 

Of  the  first  story  columns  there  are  33  of  8  inches  in  diameter,  and  63  of 

4  inches  in  diameter,  of  the  same  height  as  those  in  the  main  building ;  the 
connecting  pieces  of  2  of  the  latter  were  cast  with  pieces  of  the  ring  gir- 
ders. The  total  length  of  this  girder  is  40  feet  8  g  inches,  like  those  over 
the  entrance  halls.  The  girders  supporting  the  gallery  are  shown  in  PI. 
YL,  Fig.  6,  which  gives  a  transverse  section  of  the  two  story  building. 
They  have  a  length  of  20  feet  3f  inches,  and  are  fastened  to  the  columns 
in  the  above  described  manner,  with  the  exception  of  4,  which  are  bolted 
with  one  end  to  the  connecting  pieces  of  columns  in  the  main  building 
(already  carried  up  too  high  as  that  the  connecting  pieces  could 
be  changed),  and  two  others  only  16  feet  7f  inches  long,  which  are 
bolted  with  one  end  to  a  small  brace,  between  the  connecting  pieces  of 
two  4-inch  columns,  forming  one  side  of  the  towers,  at  the  east  end  of 
the  building. 

Of  the  ring  girders  one  is  40  feet  7f  inches  long,  like  those  over  the 
entrance  halls ;  two  consist  of  3  pieces,  each  having  a  length  of  26  feet 
3|-  inches,  composed  like  those  in  the  main  building  ;  two  others,  having  a 
total  length  of  22  feet  7 1  inches,  consist  of  three  pieces,  respectively 
8  feet  62V  inches,  8  feet  51  inches,  and  4  feet  10^  inclies  in  length,  with 
two  5-inch  connecting  pieces  between  them.  Another  pair  are  20  feet 
3i  inches  long,  of  3  pieces  each ;  the  middle  piece  being  8  feet  5^  inches  long, 
and  the  others  5  feet  O^'^  inches  long,  with  two  5-inch  connecting  pieces  ; 

5  girders  15  feet  3i  inches  long,  are  of  two  pieces,  each  being  7  feet 
5f  inches  long.    There  is  one  trellis  girder,  26  feet  5i  inches  long,  with 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  ADDITIOXAL  BUILOlNt;. 


45 


a  standard  altered  so  as  to  allow  the  belt  of  tlie  steam  engine  to  pass 
tlirough.  In  the  second  story  of  this  building,  we  have  ;J(.)  8-inch 
columns,  with  connecting  pieces  ;  GO  4-inch  columns,  the  connecting  pieces 
of  two  of  which  are  cast  with  pieces  of  the  outside  girder,  like  those 
under  the  lanlights  ;  50  of  these  are  provided  with  chairs  f>r  the  truss 
rods  supporting  the  gallery  floor.  The  girders  across  the  second  story  are 
seen  in  PL  VL,  Fig.  3.  They  are  bolted  to  the  connecting  pieces,  and 
have  tie-rods  to  prevent  their  spreading.  14  of  them  are  i  feet  4  inches 
in  length  ;  two  next  to  the  towers  are  16  feet  8  inches,  and  are  fastened  at 
one  end  in  the  same  manner  as  the  corresponding  ones  under  the  gal- 
lery floor ;  two  20  feet  7  inches  long  in  the  centre,  are  fastened  at  one  end 
to  the  connecting  pieces  of  the  4-inch  columns.  The  outside  girders  cor- 
respond with  those  in  the  second  story  of  the  main  building,  and  are  of 
the  same  length  as  those  below  in  the  flrst  story.  These  girders 
are  longitudinally  connected  by  two  rows  of  girders  resting  on  tlie  top 
flanges  of  the  former,  8  feet  10  inches  apart,  fn>ni  centre  to  centre,  and 
4  feet  6  inches  high,  each  being  one  inch  shorter  than  the  distance  be- 
tween the  centre  of  the  corresponding  columns.  The  whole  length  of  this 
row  of  girders  is  419  feet  5  inches;  they  are  kept  steady  by  cast- 
iron  arches,  each  firmly  bolted  togetlicr  with  the  vertical  end  flanges  of 
two  pairs  of  girders,  and  at  tlie  same  time  supporting  the  elevated  roof 
of  tlie  central  part  (PI.  A"L,  Fig.  '.'>) ;  the  two  ends  of  the  whole  structure 
are  formed  by  two  fanlights.  (PI.  YI.,  Fig.  7.)  The  ridge-pole  of  this 
roof  is  formed  of  2  lengths  of  angle  iron,  3x3  xf  inches,  placed  1  inch 
apart,  and  supported  at  every  9  feet  by  a  rafter  of  2  plates  of  2  x  ^  inch 
flat  iron,  with  a  strip  of  plank  1  inch  thick  between  them,  and  the  rafters 
resting  at  both  ends  on  shoes  screwed  to  the  top  of  the  longitudinal  gir- 
ders, a  tic-rod  acting  against  the  lateral  strain.  The  rest  of  the  rafters 
are  similar  to  these,  but  rest  on  the  ridge-pole.  The  roof  over  the 
remainder  of  the  second  story  rests  on  rafters,  and  4  hip  rafters,  the  lat- 
ter supported  by  purlins  of  2^  x  24  x-i\  inch  angle  iron,  and  trussed  by 
simple  truss  rods.  It  was  flrst  intended  to  have  the  central  roof  covered 
with  glass,  but  afterwards  it  was  determined  to  cover  it  with  wood.  The 
gallery  is  lighted  wholly  by  the  fanlights  and  windows.  Wooden  venti- 
lators are  placed  behind  the  longitudinal  girders  near  the  floor,  the  sides 
of  the  second  story  being  boarded  up,  to  provide  wall  space  for  hanging 
the  pictures,  and  wooden  louvres  are  also  employed  behind  the  second 
story  girders. 

In  the  sheds  are  9  8-inch  and  20  4-inch  columns,  15  feet  4^  inches 
high,  and  in  the  middle  row  are  6  8-inch  and  15  4-inch  .columns,  13  feet 


NEW  YORK  CKYSTAI.  PAI.ACK. 


IfJ-  inches  high.  Tlie  girders  inclosing  the  ontside  are  2  feet  high,  lilce  the 
trellis  girders  supporting  tlie  stairs  in  the  main  building.  They  are  bolted 
to  the  columns  by  six  f-inch  tap-bolts.  The  middle  row  of  columns  is 
connected  with  the  girders  in  the  same  manner.  Of  these,  there  is  a  total 
of  18  girders  composed  of  3  pieces,  with  a  total  length  of  2G  feet  4  inches, 
and  4  comjxised  of  2  pieces,  having  a  total  length  of  15  feet  4  inches. 

The  sy^-lrm  of  trussing  the  I'oof  is  similar  to  that  in  the  main  building. 
The  principals  are  made  of  d(Mible  angle  iron,  2x2x^  inches,  f  inch 
apart,  and  strengthened  by  invertetl  trusses  of  |-inch  round  iron,  with  cast- 
iron  struts,  the  one  under  the  middle  of  tlie  principal  being  2  feet 
Sj\  inches  high.  The  valley  purlins  are  made  of  double  3x3xf  inch 
angle  iron.  On  the  top  of  the  rafters,  running  parallel  to  the  girders,  are 
placed  rafters  made  of  2x^  inch  flat  iron,  with  a  strip  of  wood  2x1  inch, 
to  which  the  boards  are  nailed.  There  are  five  sky-lights  in  these  roofs. 
The  panels,  with  water  tables  and  base-mouldings,  are  precisely  similar  to 
those  in  the  main  building.  At  each  end  of  the  arcade  towards  the  streets 
two  folding-doors,  8  feet  6^  inches  wide,  and  in  each  shed  2  others  of  the 
same  width,  are  placed.  The  arches  in  front  of  the  windows  are  made  of 
wood,  similar  in  appearance  to  the  main  building,  whereas  those  in  the 
two  story  building  are  of  cast-iron,  like  those  in  the  main  building,  with 
only  slight  alterations  according  to  the  difierent  spaces  between  the 
columns.  The  same  can  be  said  of  the  mouldings  of  the  columns,  floors, 
and  other  minor  parts  of  the  construction. 

Before  concluding  our  task,  we  may  be  allowed  to  add  a  few  words 
about  the  testing  of  the  girders.  This  was  accomplished  in  the  following 
manner :  each  cast-iron  girder  was  placed  with  its  ends  on  two  supports 
of  masonry,  and  a  pressure  produced  upon  the  top  flange,  on  two  points 
above  the  vertical  struts,  by  strong  wrought-iron  levers,  the  fulcrums  of 
which  were  on  one  side  of  the  girder,  whereas  the  other  ends  were  pro- 
vided with  scales,  sustaining  an  ascertained  weight  of  pig-iron,  the  eflfect 
of  which  would  of  course  vary  according  to  the  length  of  the  lever.  The 
trellis  girders,  for  the  support  of  the  galleries,  weighing  about  1800  lbs., 
were  tested  with  a  pressure  of  fifteen  tons ;  those  for  the  support  of  the 
roof  Aveighing  about  1600  lbs.,  with  ten  tons  applied  to  the  above  described 
points. 

Experience  in  the  London,  as  well  as  in  our  building,  has  shown  the 
admirable  way  in  which  this  form  of  girder  fulfils  its  double  function,  as 
supporting  great  weights,  and  bracing  a  light  structure  of  slender  columns. 


APPENDIX. 


I. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Directors  nf  Ike  Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of 
All  Nations,  New  York. 

GeNTLEMExN, 

In  presenting  a  new  plan  for  the  intended  American  Exhibition  Buildini,',  I  beg  leave  to 
introduce  it  to  your  notice  by  the  following  short  remarks  : 

The  entire  plan  is  embodied  in  the  s.n  i'ii  dnnvinux  herewith  transmitted  in  the  accom- 
panying six  frames.  They  are  merely  ski^tch  -d,  nwitrs  to  the  very  limited  time  that  could 
be  bestowed  on  their  execution ;  scarcely  ihi-  ■  w.^k^  having  elapsed  since  I  learned  that 
the  project  was  still  open  for  competitiDii,  ami.  f(.ii>,_M|U  'ntly,  resolved  to  give  form  to  the 
ideas  I  had,  for  some  time,  entcrlain-il  on  ih  ■  -,ii1>]l'c'l.  The  indulgence  of  the  Honorable 
Board  of  Directors  is,  thererm-r.  r 'sp.MM  Cully  solicited,  with  regard  to  the  want  of  finish 
perceptible  in  the  drawings.  It  is,  Imw.  vrr.  Iu'lieved,  that  they  are  sufficiently  elaborate  to 
give  a  clear  idea  of  the  leading  points,  ami  to  ndiuit  of  an  unembarrassed  judgment  as  to 
the  adoption  or  rejection  of  the  plan.  Thoy  ■.iv.-  exocntrd  under  the  joint  supervision  of 
myself  and  a  practical  architect,  whose \alu:il>k' assislanc?  I  have  i)L'eu  fortunate  enough 
to  secure,  and  from  whose  knowledg,'  and  expfrienci',  1  feel  coiniii.'rd.  rssmtial  b.-nefit 
would  be  derived,  in  case  of  the  adoption  of  my  project,  and  its  consc,|iii  iii  ■A.ciitioii. 

The  leading  features  of  the  plan  I  have  the  h.nioi-  to  siihinit  have  ori^inatcil  in  the  na- 
ture of  the  ground  allotted  to  the  pidposi'd  nlilic.',  and  of  lis  immediate  vicinity.  On 
examining  Reservoir  Square,  1  could  not  but  b  ■  \  iviiily  impi-essed  witli  the  disadvantages 
of  the  locality,  when  compared  with  that  of  ihr  ("i-ystal  Palace  of  London,  which  admit- 
ted of  a  free  view  of  the  edifice  from  nil  directions,  besides  being  of  unlimited  extent,  and 
affording  natural  auxiliaries  in  point  of  iiictures((ueness  that  are  entirely  wanting  on  Reser- 
voir Square.  Here  we  have  to  contend  with  t!ic  most  prosy  bareness  of  the  surrounding 
district,  with  the  overwhelming  heaviness  of  the  neigliboriug  fortress-like  and  colossal 
Croton  Reservoir,  and  with  the  restricted  s[)ace  for  ih  •  building  itself,  as  well  as  for  the 
effect  of  an  exterior  view.  Nature  did  wonders  lo  ^ivr  r  -li -f  to  Jlr.  Paxton's  splendid 
creation,  and  as  she  does  nothing  for  us,  we  must  ln\i'  r  ■i-oni  -,r  to  art,  in  order  to  meet 
creditably  the  public  propensity  of  drawing  cnaip  irisons  w  iihout  the  least  regard  to  the 
existing  circumstances.  Comparisons  th-y  icill  .-iiake.  and  tli-  fewer  points  of  .similarity 
there  are  b  iw  I'cn  th/  two  siiuicturcs,  the  more  lavorable  will  be  the  impression  of  the  New 
York  Exbibiti<.in  IJuiKling,  since  it  will  appear  endowed  with  the  charms  of  novelty  and  origi- 
nality; and  thus  escape  the  stigmatizing  ridicule  of  b.nng  a  miniature  imitation  of  some- 
thing much  superior.  No  effort,  which  a  wise  economy  will  admit  of,  should  therefore 
be  spared  to  give  it  this  effect.    This  view  has  led  me  to  propose  the  form  of  an  octagon, 


48 


AITENDIX. 


surmounted  by  a  cross  and  a  dome.  The  aspect  of  such  a  building  will  be  entirely  differ- 
ent from  that  of  the  London  Crystal  Palace.  Its  form  affords  all  requisite  scope  for  a 
pleasing  variety  of  architectural  embellishment,  by  which  the  monotony  of  Mr.  Paxton's 
design  can  be  avoided,  and  allows  a  much  more  economical  use  of  the  given  ground,  which, 
being  very  limited,  ought  to  be  made  as  profitable  as  possible.  The  rising  dome,  indepen- 
dent of  its  effect  in  the  interior  arrangement  of  the  edifice,  will  save  it  from  appearing 
insignificant  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Croton  Reservoir ;  being  higher,  by  ninety 
feet,  than  the  latter,  and  contrasting  favorably  by  the  lightness  of  its  style,  as  will  the 
whole  building,  viewed  near  the  massive  walls  of  its  heavy  neighbor.  It  is  believed  that 
upon  this  plan  a  building  can  bo  erected,  which  will  be  at  once  creditable  to  the  nation 
by  whose  enterprise  it  is  called  into  existence,  and  most  completely  answer  the  purpose  to 
M  Inch  it  is  to  be  devoted. 

The  following  are  the  objects  which  I  have  striven  to  combine  in  my  plan: 

1.  The  greatest  possible  interior  area. 

2.  Perfect  safety  and  elegance  of  construction. 

3.  A  well  calculated  and  pleasing  admission  of  light. 

4.  Variety  of  coups  [Vccil  in  the  interior,  in  order  there  to  counterbalance  the  disadvan- 
tages which  cannot  be  entirely  overcome  in  the  exterior. 

Ad.  1.  The  proposed  edifice  is  calculated  to  contain  a  principal  floor,  111,200  square  feet 
(Plan  I.),  abasement,  160,000  square  feet  (Plan  II.),  and  a  gallery  62,000  square  feet  (Plan 
III.),  or  an  aggregate  area  of  333,800  square  feet,  being  about  a  third  of  the  fioor  and  gal- 
leries of  the  London  Crystal  Palace,  which  measured  973,500  square  feet. 

Ad.  2,  3,  and  4.  The  geometrical  elevation  and  section,  as  given  on  Plans  IV.,  V.,  and  VI., 
represent  poi-spi'i'tive  vii'U  s  of  the  Interior  and  Exterior. 

Althoiiuli  i  \|i!:;ii;itiniis  cit'  the  ditfereiit  parts  of  the  building  are  given  on  the  geometri- 
cal i)lans,  till'  ]H'isi.:'(  ii\ (.•  views  artonl  a  pretty  compreliensive  idea  of  the  whole  struc- 
ture, I  slill  i  iki'  tlir  lilii'i'ty  (if  adilin'/ a  \\-\\  oli>i_Tvations :  The  construction  will  not  meet 
with  any  ilillirii|ti,.s.  Ill  ■  lidri/ontal  sti-aiii  1)  Mii^-  incoiisiilerable,  and  the  vertical  pressure 
easily  resisti'il  by  the  stronutli  of  testi-d  cnlinnns,  girdL'rs,  and  arches,  which  will  be  con- 
nected according  to  the  system  of  Messrs.  Paxto.n,  and  Fox  &  Henderson.  In  the  centre 
of  the  principal  floor  is  an  inclosed  area,  80  feet  in  diameter  and  13  feet  deep,  with  a  foun- 
tain in  the  middle,  and  four  grottoes  with  springs  under  the  platform;  and  staircases  lead- 
ing down  to  the  basement,  which  thus  will  receive  light  both  from  the  interior  and  the  exterior 
of  the  building.  This  inclosure  under  the  elevated  dome,  surrounded  by  statues,  niches 
ibr  flowers,  and  other  decorations,  as  well  as  tastefully  arranged  resting-places,  will  un- 
(IniibtiMlly  |iii»liR-e  a  very  picturesque  effect.  Its  peculiar  arrangement  is  suggested,  in 
iii'dcr  to  alinrd  ;i  view  of  the  fountain  in  all  parts  of  the  building,  for  its  play  may  be 
observed  from  the  basement  and  galleries,  as  well  as  from  any  point  of  the  principal 
floor. 

The  distance  between  the  columns  in  the  aisles,  and  "Triangles"  (Lean-tos,  Plan  I.) 
is  27  feet.  The  height  from  floor  to  ceiling  23  feet.  The  four  entrance  halls  are  all  laid 
out  alike  in  the  i)lan,  Init  can  easily  be  arranjj-ed  in  different  styles,  or  to  suit  different  pur- 
poses, if  it  should  be  required;  thus  a  convenient  covered  cari-iage  way,  for  the  admittance 
of  vehicles  ewhisively,  niinlit  be  laid  on  the  eastern  front,  fiicing  the  Reservoir.  Connected 
with  the  eiiti-ance  \\a)  s,  24  adininistrative  ollices  have  been  contemplated. 

Four  large  and  twelve  winding  staircases  connect  the  principal  floor  with  the  gallery  which 


APPENDIX. 


49 


opens  on  the  four  balconies,  ea'Mi  2,00  )  si|u:ue  to  "t,  situated  over  the  four  entrance  halls, 
and  affording  ample  space  for  llowoi-  d -roiiilions,  statues,  vases,  etc.  It  also  contains  a 
Ladies'  refreshuiunt  saloon  and  |ii  i\a!:'  v<>-i:n.  It  forms  a  cross  whose  intersection  is  sur- 
mounted ))y  the  domu.  Thi'  latter  is  10!)  I'l^.t  in  dia:uetcr  at  its  base,  and  136  feet  high 
fro.-n  the  biiseuieut-lli.or  to  the  l):is(.  of  the  lantern  which  terminates  it.  The  additional 
hei--lit  ol'  the  lantern  is  IS  feel.  Thus  the  central  structure  rises  147  feet  above  the  grade 
of  the  adjoining-  streets.  The  dome  receives  light  from  the  lantern,  as  well  as  from  the 
sides,  oa  w  hie'i  ?>2  traus[)arent  escutcheons  in  colored  glass,  representing  the  arms  of  the 
Union  and  its  31  States;  or,  if  preferred,  the  emblems  of  the  different  nations,  form  apart 
of  the  deeoratiiin. 

The  basement  is  propdsed  to  be  connected  with  the  principal  floor  likewise  by  4  large 
and  lii  w  inding-  staireasrs.  Its  area  forms  a  square,  being  extended  under  the  four  ter- 
races (Plan  1.,  V).  Its  height  from  floor  to  ceiling  is  17  feet.  In  two  of  its  corners  are 
commDdious  entrauees  for  carts,  drays,  etc.;  allowing  heavy  materials  and  goods  to  be  en- 
tered in  the  building  a  considerable  time  before  it  is  finished,  and  thence  to  be  disposed  of 
with  facility;  thus  a  gi'eat  impediment  to  the  speedy  progress  of  the  works  and  the  final 
interior  decorations  n  iil  be  avoided. 

Tne  b.is  Mil  III  w  ill.  I,  -id 's,  alford  very  convenient  room  for  exhibiting  objects  of  large 
di.n-nsioii^  ,  i  i  ,i  -  ,  ;-!  ruction,  such  as  locomotives,  engines,  railroad  cars,  vehicles  of 
evci    de-.'i     e  iM.  :,  j  i  n  : i !  i  iiral  implements,  naval  structures,  timber,  and  the  like. 

/)  (lart  of  the  basuiiuut  may  also  be  divided  l)y  partitions  into  saloons  for  refreshments, 
or  n  milar  purposes,  \\  hich,  it  is  believed,  would  be  a  lucrative  source  of  revenue  to  the 
cn'  crprisc. 

\\\  engine-room,  for  the  production  of  the  motive  power  for  machinery,  might  also  be 
'  rranged  in  the  basement,  although  it  will  be  fir  more  desirable  to  keep  boilers,  largo  firc- 
j)laces,  anil  t'uel  at  a  proper  distance  from  the  building. 

All  the  llo  ,rs  arr  c  ilrulated  to  lie  laid  w  ith  tongued  and  grooved  boards,  and  to  receive  a 
number  of  small  niovabh'  r.'srrvoir.  <>■■  2  or  3  feet  in  diameter,  eovered  by  east 

iron  iiert'oraird  rosrttes,  to  answer  tlie  purposes  of  cleanliness.  In  the  London  Crystal 
Palace,  the  planks  of  tli  -  lloors  were  laid  lialf  an  inch  apart,  with  a  view  to  a  more  ready 
nioile  of  cleaning  the  place  by  sweeping  the  dust,  etc.,  between  the  boards.  Very  serious 
inconveniences  arose  from  this  method  of  laying  the  floors,  among  which,  the  almost  cer- 
tain loss  of  any  small  article  or  trinket  that  was  dropped,  was  not  the  least.  The  pro- 
posed system  of  introducing  a  number  of  movable  receptacles  of  the  dust,  is  calculated 
to  obviate  the  inconveniences  experienced  in  London,  whilst  it  will  retain  all  the  advantages 
of  speedy  and  thorough  sweeping. 

The  exterior  of  the  proposed  Crystal  Palace  is  kcjit  mostly  in  the  Venetian  style,  the  most 
favorable  for  lightness  and  elegance,  combined  with  strength. 

As  it  is  probable  that  the  surrounding  lots  in  6th  Avenue,  40th  and  42d  streets,  will  be 
covered  with  houses  very  soon,  it  is  proposed  to  surround  the  Exhibition  Building  by  an 
inclosure  20  to  25  feet  broad,  with  walks,  trees,  etc. ;  and  thus  to  give  it  an  apparent  arti- 
ficial distance  from  the  neighborhood,  which  in  reality  cannot  be  secured.  The  four  "Ter- 
races," each  about  10,000  square  feet  (Plan  I.,  P)  with  fountains,  shrubbery,  seats,  &,c.,  it  is 
also  proposed  to  inclose  by  iron  railings. 

The  different  roofs  are  intended  to  be  covered  with  lead  and  tin.  The  character  of  a 
"  Crystal  Palace"  will  be  amply  preserved  by  the  free  use  of  glass  on  all  sides  of  the  octa- 

7 


50 


APPENDIX. 


gon,  cross,  and  dome ;  but  it  is  believed  that  a  glass-roof,  like  that  used  in  London,  would 
be  pernicious  to  the  interior  of  the  building,  as  the  brightness  of  our  sky  would  be  much 
too  glaring  for  endurance,  if  received  through  the  medium  which  was  so  appropriate  in 
England.  Moreover,  a  glass  roof  would  be  found  the  source  of  serious  annoyances,  chiefly 
in  winter  time  for  instance,  in  case  of  heavy  snow. 

A  steam  warming  apparatus  should  be  introduced  ;  experience  in  superintending  the  erec- 
tion and  management  of  very  extensive  establishments  having  convinced  me  of  the  bene- 
ficial effect  of  keeping  a  tempei'aturo  above  freezing  point,  even  when  the  building  is  entire- 
ly deserted  by  visitors. 

These  cursory  remarks,  in  addition  to  the  explanations  on  the  plans  submitted,  will,  I  be- 
lieve, suffice  to  elucidate  my  ideas. 

I  annex  a  schedule,  containing  the  estimate  of  cost  which  the  erection  of  the  proposed 
edifice  would  involve.   It  amounts  to  about  $300,000. 

In  this  estimate  the  cost  of  introducing  gas,  water,  and  steam  has  not  been  included. 
These  works  ought,  however,  to  be  made  simultaneously  with  the  foundation  and  erection 
of  the  edifice,  from  urgent  reasons  of  economy. 

Wishing  to  have  judgment  passed  upon  the  merits  or  demerits  of  my  project,  on  the 
sole  basis  of  the  plan  submitted,  I  beg  leave,  for  the  time  being,  to  withhold  my  name,  as 
well  as  that  of  my  friend  and  assistant  architect,  and  to  subscribe  myself,  with  great  re- 
spect, the  Honorable  Board's 

Most  obedient  servant, 

THE  PROJECTOR. 

New  York,  August  ith,  1852. 

II. 

To  Ihe  Honorable  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  Ike  Industry 
of  All  Nations,  in  Neio  York. 

Gentlemen, 

Agreably  to  your  directions,  we  have  made  some  modifications  in  our  plan  for  the  Crys- 
tal Palace,  with  a  view  to  reduce  the  expense  of  its  erection,  without  changing  its  leading 
features.  We  herewith  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  new  estimate,  according  to  which 
the  building  can  be  executed  for  a  sum  not  exceeding  $200,000 ;  being  one  third  less  than 
the  original  calculation.  In  order  to  accomplish  this  reduction  we  have  altered  the  first 
plan  in  the  following  particulars. 

The  basement  which  was  originally  proposed  has  been  entirely  rejected,  by  which  an 
area  of  about  150,000  square  feet  has  been  sacrificed  to  the  necessity  of  economy. 

The  proposed  four  terraces  at  the  outside  corners  of  the  Palace,  which  were  more  orna- 
mental than  essential,  have  also  been  abandoned. 

Likewise  the  railing  around  the  edifice,  and  the  flagging  of  the  sidewalks. 

Adequate  modifications  in  the  interior  decorations  have  also  served  materially  to  reduce 
the  expense. 

The  first  calculations,  having  been  made  without  any  knowledge  of  the  existing  limits 
in  point  of  expense,  included  every  thing  to  the  least  detail  in  the  gi-eatest  j)erf'ection,  and 
were  besides  prepared  with  a  of  eu\ciiiig  any  oinissitjii  that  might  lia\e  <icfui-|-eil. 

owing  to  the  hurry  in  which  the  items  had  lu  be  specilied  — su  us  to  prevent  the  iVu 


APPENDIX. 


51 


quent  reproaches  afrainst  architects,  of  furnishing  first  estimates,  witliin  tlie  limits  of  which 
it  was  impossible  to  carry  out  tlieir  plans. 

It  will,  therefore,  he  obvious  to  the  Honorable  Boanl.  that  the  spceiiird  rejeelions  and 
modiiieations  sulKee  lo  reduce  the  expense  of  the  e.xeculiou  fully  one  third  below  the  first 
estimate.  At  the  same  time,  the  dimensions,  the  outward  form,  and  the  interior  arrau'j-e- 
ment  (.save  the  basement),  have  been  retained  in  U,!o;  anil  the  appearance  and  effect  of  the 
edifice  will  still  remain  the  same  as  that  ol'  the  tirst  plan,  which  the  Honorable  Board  has 
been  pleased  to  honor  with  their  approb:iti"ii. 

We  have  retained  the  n-allciies,  after  mature  eonsideral i. m  of  lie;  ipiestion  of  rejecting 
them.  In  the  first  place,  they  ad.l  matcriaily  to  tli  ■  sUviiulli  of  tli-  eonsiniction,  and  com- 
paratively little  lo  the  expense.  Sicon.ll;,,  tluy  aiv  c^scnti.il  as  a  transition  from  the  wide 
area  of  the  floor,  to  the  high  dome,  whose  dianu'tur  is  neecs,-,aiily  so  mueh  less  than  that 
of  the  octagon,  and  which  instead  of  gracing  the  ediliee  wo\ild  di^l'iL  iire  it,  il'  the  galleries 
did  not  intervene  hetwcen  it  and  the  lower  lloor — eontraeling  the  diim  nsions  (>[  the  building 
at  half  its  height,  and  giving  it  that  unity  of  style  wlii.di  is  both  ph  a-ant  to  the  eye  and 
beneficial  to  the  eflTeet  of  the  li--ht.  And  last,  not  lea-,t,  the  ealleri.  s  e.mtain  an  area  of 
62,000  square  feet,  which,  alter  r.jeeiing  the  hasem,  nt,  we  do  not  think  could  well  be 
spared.  For,  if  we  ga\e  up  this  s|).iee.  we  \\^m\A  retain  only  that  of  the  jjrineipal  floor,  not 
exceeding  121,150  sijuaic  feel.  This  would  uoi  l,e  L'rea!l\  more  than  the  aggregate  area 
of  the  floor,  gallerii-s,  and  si.a-e  of  Casile  Cai-den,  v>  iiieh  U  harelv  sullicient  for  the  annual 
exhibitions  (d'the  .\meriean  Insliiule  ;  and.  as  we  may  presume  that  America  will  furnishat 
least  as  many  ohjeets  of  exiiihition  ,as  are  aniuially  sent  to  Castle  Garden,  we  eamiot  but 
think  that  the  rest  of  the  woild  will  eontiibnte  objects  in  sulfieient  fjuantily  to  demand  the 
residue  of  the  llonr,  and  the  02,000  square  feet  of  the  galleries.  The  latter  are,  moreover, 
indispensable,  to  afford  visitors  a  ''coup  iVair  of  the  whole  exhibition,  whose  impression  car- 
ried home  and  detailed  to  friends,  or  heralded  by  the  entire  press  of  the  country,  will  tend  to 
swell  to  millions  the  number  of  visitors,  and,  consequently,  amply  justify  the  trifling  expense 
of  the  galleries. 

We  beg  the  Honorable  Board  to  pardon  us  for  recurring  in  several  instances  to  the  esthe- 
tic point  of  view.  In  our  opinion  it  has  great  weight,  not  only  with  regard  to  the  pretensions 
of  the  public  taste,  but  also  as  a  mere  question  of  matter  of  fact  success  ;  for  it  cannot  be 
doubted  for  an  instant,  that  a  due  regard  for  beauty  and  taste,  in  such  an  establishment,  goes 
far  towards  making  it  profitable. 

No  wood  will  be  etnployed  in  the  construction  of  the  whole  edifice,  except  for  the  floor ; 
the  rest  being  exclusively  of  glass  and  iron,  tin  and  sheet-lead,  or  corrugated-iron. 

Reservoir  Square  having  an  inclination  of  about  six  feet  towards  6th  Avenue,  a  substruc- 
ture of  that  height  becomes  necessary  on  the  west  side,  in  order  to  produce  a  level.  This 
will  not  only  add  to  the  appearance  of  the  edifice,  but  will  also  give  a  considerable  room  under 
the  west  end  of  the  floor,  which  may  be  made  profitable  in  various  ways. 

We  have  annexed  to  the  new  estimate  a  number  of  drawings  of  details,  to  facilitate  the 
scrutiny  of  our  calculations.  The  .scale  of  dimensions  is  added  to  each,  and  the  cubic  mea- 
sure and  weight  given,  so  that  exports  will  have  no  difficulty  in  making  the  requisite  calcula- 
tions, or  in  tracing  the  whole  plan  of  the  construction,  in  which  we  have  explicitly  followed 
the  well  tested  system  of  Messrs.  Paxton,  and  Fox  &  Henderson. 

Our  estimates  have  been  made  with  minute  precision,  and  we,  therefore,  confidently  submit 
them  to  an  impartial  judgment.    If  we  should  be  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  the  Honorable 


52 


APPENDIX. 


Board's  approbation  in  such  a  manner  as  to  warrant  us  in  hoping  for  the  final  adoption  of 
our  plan,  wo  would  then  bo  able  to  prepare  the  necessary  working-drawings  in  full  size  and 
execution,  which  want  of  time  has  not  admitted  of  producing  as  yet.  It  has  not  been  our 
intention  to  contract  for  the  erection  of  the  building,  but  only  to  offer  our  services  as  archi- 
tects and  superintendents ;  i.  e.  to  furnish  the  plans,  specifications,  working-drawings,  &c., 
and  to  see  them  faithfully  carried  out  by  the  contractors.  It  appears  to  us  upon  investigation 
that  no  one  foundry  would  be  able  to  furnish  the  iron-work  required,  within  the  given  limits 
of  time.  We  therefore  suggest  that  it  be  divided  among  several  contractors,  each  to  be  fur- 
nished with  accurate  working-drawings  and  specifications.  This  would  secure  both  prompt- 
ness and  cheapness,  each  taking  that  part  of  the  work  which  ho  has  most  facility  in  doing. 

Should  the  Honorable  Board  direct  that  we,  in  case  of  the  adoption  of  our  plan,  also 
assume  the  position  of  builders,  we  would  then  require  a  fortnight  after  the  decision  in  favor 
of  our  proposals,  to  procure  satisfactory  security  as  to  their  prompt  and  faithful  execution  in 
accordance  with  our  estimates.  It  has  been  impossible  to  obtain,  before  this,  the  detailed 
opinions  of  the  leading  establishments  on  the  various  items  of  our  estimate,  owing  to  the 
very  limited  time  allowed  us  for  reducing  our  plan  to  the  prescribed  limits  of  expenditure; 
but  we  have  so  carefully  weighed  every  detail,  that  we  confidently  leave  it  at  the  option  of  the 
Honorable  Board  either  to  contract  with  the  respective  establishments,  on  the  basis  of  our 
estimates,  or,  by  ordering  us  to  assume  the  responsibDity  of  their  correctness,  to  make  it  our 
duty  to  bring  in  the  requisite  security. 

We  entertain  so  favorable  an  opinion  about  the  whole  enterprise  of  the  Exhibition,  carried 
out  in  the  spu-it  which  animates  the  Honorable  Board,  that  we  would  be  glad  to  receive 
the  remuneration  the  Honorable  Board  may  be  pleased  to  agree  upon  for  our  services,  half 
in  cash,  and  half  in  stocks  of  the  Association. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  high  esteem,  the  Honorable  Board's 

Most  obedient  servants, 
G.  CARSTENSEN  &  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

New  York,  August  Wth,  1852. 

III. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industey  of  All  Nations. 

Office,  No.  53  Broadway,  New  York,  12th  August,  1852. 

Sir, 

You  are  requested  to  attend  at  this  office,  with  the  drawings  and  specifications  of  your 
plans,  as  for  as  completed,  to  meet  the  Board  of  Engineers  appointed  to  examine  the  same, 
on  Friday,  13th  inst.,  at  2  P.  M.  By  Order, 

WM.  WHETTEN,  Secretary. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &  Gildemeister. 

IV. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  All  Nations. 

New  York,  16th  August,  1852. 

Gentlemen, 

Before  entering  upon  the  examination  of  the  plans  offered  for  the  Exhibition  building,  it 


APPENDIX. 


is  desirable  that  we  should  clearly  uaderstand  the  terms  upon  which  those  plans  may  be  made 
use  of  by  the  Board. 

I  must  beg  you,  therefore,  at  your  early  convenu'inx^.  to  state  on  what  terms  you  will 
place  your  plan  at  the  disposal  of  the  Bo iril,  ill  tii  •  ■  .  -i*  "i'  i  -  :i:-i-fptance  by  them;  you 
furnishing  all  the  detailed  workiii^r-Jnuvin^-s  a:i  1  :  -  i-  ■  •  :i;Kcte,  so  that  ot'ier  parties 

may  make  a  bid  upon  them.  Also,  whether  it  is  v  mii-  i,i;.;;h, m  t.i  D  'coau  the  eoatractors  for 
the  execution  of  your  design.  I  am,  very  respcL'tl  ully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

C.  E.  DET.MOLD,  Engineer,  cf-c. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &,  Gildemeistek. 


V. 


New  York,  August  18th,  1S52. 


C.  E.  Detmold,  Esq., 

Sir  :  —  In  reply  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  16th  inst. 


we  beg  leave  to  make  the  fol- 


lo^ 


irks. 


When  we  submitted  our  plan  in  eoiiipetitioii  for  the  (•oiitoiiiiil.it. 
Building,  it  was  less  with  a  vi,-\v  to  a;iy  i;ini/li:.t  •  p  -  iry  1.  ^i.  ^  u 
enterprise,  than  tor  the  purpose  of  gai!i:n:4-,  if  |.  )~-iM:'.  an  i>,y  i;iii:i 
selves  favorably  to  the  public  as  architects.  We  were  of  the  ojiiui- 
adoption  of  our  plan,  wc  should,  ourselves,  occupy  the  [lo^ilion  oi  - 
the  erection  of  the  building.  The  fact,  which  we  ^ul)^e  luciKly  le  u  i 
Directors  have  appointed  you  su[)erlnteii.liiig  engineer  and  architect, 
Hurry  consulting  engineers  and  architects,  does  not,  in  our  opini(jn. 
the  projector;  lor  it  is  but  i)roper  and  just  tliat  he  sliould  guide  his 


I'xiiibition 
iV  this 

ii-i;ig  our- 
-  ■  of  the 

i.  Mi-d  of 
Allex  &. 
M.,>ition  of 


r  the  c 


r  tlieir 


Thus  on!) 
his  plans. 


II  the  v 


>rk  be 


carried  out  in  tlie  spirit  that  aninialed  tlie  architect  in  p 

The  project  we  have  submitted  has  been  matured  in  an  uncommonly  short  time.  The 
drawings  laid  before  the  Board  are  necessarily  only  hasty  sketches  of  what  we  intend  to  exe- 
cute, with  greater  care,  if  the  work  be  confided  to  us.  It  would,  therefore,  be  next  to  impos- 
sible to  realize  our  views,  if  the  execution  of  the  various  details  of  the  works  were  placed 
entirely  in  the  hands  of  others. 

If,  therefore,  the  Honorable  Board  should  be  pleased  to  adopt  our  plan,  we  could  not  but 
wish  ourselves  to  lead  the  execution,  in  connexion  with  yourself,  as  the  superintending  engi- 
neer and  architect,  and  controlled  by  you,  in  order  not  only  to  furnish  tlie  re(iuisite  working- 
drawings,  &c.,  but  also  to  have  a  voice  in  the  manifold  details,  modifications,  alterations,  &c., 
which  generally  are  incumbent  upon  the  architect  in  his  capacity  of  superintendent,  decor.a- 
tor,  &c.,  during  the  progress  of  the  execution  of  his  plans. 

As  it  will  be  our  duty  to  devote  all  our  time  to  the  best  and  most  speedy  development  of 
the  enterprise,  and  to  hold  our  services  exclusively  at  the  command  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
until  the  entire  completion  of  the  edifiee,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  set  aside,  for  a  longer  period 
of  time,  all  other  occupations,  and  we  will  necessarily  have  to  incur  a  number  of  extraordi- 
nary business  and  personal  expenses  during  the  execution  of  so  vast  a  work  in  so  limited  a 
space  of  time.  In  consideration  of  these  circumstances  we  trust  that  the  Honorable  Board 
will  find  our  claim  of  a  remuneration  of  $5,000  for  our  joint  services  a  reasonable  one. 


54 


AIM'F.XniX. 


In  conclusion,  wo        to  say  that,  althnii  .!i  w^'  avi-nnally  have  not  entertained  the  idea  of 

the  edilk'e  for  a  o-iwn  prier,  and  boloiv  a  -iwu  .1  ly,  WouKl,  ncverl  1,,-less,  nou"  be  willing 
to  tak<'  surh  a  eonlraet,  as  uv  havr  ivason  to  I.Mieve  liiat  we  should  l,e  ahh-,  before  the  cioso 
of  Ibis  wo,.k,  lo  siTuro  Iho  tiiiirly  rx.r ii I io„  of  ,,iir  projeet,  b.r  the  sum  of  !i^l95,000,  by  re- 
sponsible e.stablishnients  of  ibis  eity. 

Requesting  you  to  lay  tliese,  our  observations,  before  the  Board  of  Directors,  in  your  report 
of  the  subject,  We  have  the  honor  to  be  Sir, 

With  hii,'h  regard. 

Your  very  obedient  servants, 
G.  CARSTENSEN  &  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

VI. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations, 

New  York,  25th  August,  1852. 

Gentlemen, 

Will  you  have  the  goodness  to  meet  at  this  office,  this  afternoon,  at  half-past  four  o'clock,  a 
Committee  appointed  to  confer  with  you  on  the  subject  of  your  Plan  ? 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  WHETTEN,  Secretary. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &  Gildemeister. 

VII. 

New  York,  August  26th,  1852. 

Gentlemen, 

We  have  received  your  inquiry  as  to  whether  we  would  be  willing  to  furnish  our  plan  of 
the  Exhibition  building,  in  case  of  its  adoption,  for  the  consideration  of  !|5,000  ;  half  in  cash, 
and  half  after  the  enterprise  should  have  cleared  ten  per  cent. 

In  reply  to  this  question,  we  beg  to  reiterate  what  we  have  previously  expressed,  viz.  that 
we  have  entered  into  the  competition  far  more  with  a  view  of  gaining  an  opportunity  of 
establishing  our  reputation  as  architects  than  as  a  matter  of  pecuniary  speculation.  We 
also  expressed  our  firm  confidence  of  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  and  our  consequent  wil- 
lingness to  receive  half  of  our  fee  in  stocks  of  the  company.  Becoming  subsequently  aware 
of  the  limited  means  at  the  disposal  of  the  company,  and  being  asked  to  state  the  terms  on 
which  we  would  furnish  the  plans,  &e.,  for  the  building,  we  took  into  serious  consideration 
all  the  existing  circumstances,  as  well  as  the  indirect  benefit  we  would  derive  from  the  execution 
of  our  plans,  and  .setting  asiilo  entirely  the  idea  of  an  adequate  remuneration,  according  to 
usage  in  architectural  undertakings,  we  agreed  to  receive  a  salary  of  ^5,000  for  our  joint  ser- 
vices, which  we  consider  barely  sufficient  to  cover  our  running  expenses  during  the  time  that 
our  se-vices  would  bo  at  the  exclusive  disposal  of  the  Board.  For  remuneration  we  looked 
entirely  to  the  business  which  we  hope  to  secure  after  establishing,  by  a  conspicuous  work, 
our  claim  to  public  patronage. 

We  imagined  this  simple  salary  to  bo  naturally  a  cash  item,  and  we  confess  that  the  inde- 


APPENDIX. 


55 


finite  postponement  of  half  the  pay  would  put  us  to  serious  inconveniences.  Neither  can  we 
consiJer  it  exactly  just  to  make  a  definite  sum  payable  at  an  indefinite  time. 

It  appears  to  us  that,  if  we  have  to  defer  our  claim,  we  should  also  have  the  chance  of  its 
improvement  in  the  moan  time.  We  would,  therefore,  bejj  to  recur  to  our  former  proposal 
of  receiving  half  our  fee  in  stocks  of  the  company,  for  though  we  had  a  different  sum  in  view 
when  we  advanced  that  proposal,  we  are  nevertheless  willing  to  make  the  same,  with  regard 
to  the  limited  demand  we  have  made.  Our  confidence  in  the  success  of  the  enterprise  is  so 
great,  that  we  gladly  take  the  chance  of  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  stock.  It  would  then  be  a 
matter  of  our  own  convenience  to  decide  either  upon  the  time  when  to  dispose  of  it,  or  to 
retain  it  throughout  the  period  of  the  exhibition,  if,  as  we  tiiink,  it  should  turn  out  the  best 
possible  investment. 

We  therefore  beg  to  shape  our  proposal  as  follows  : — 

We  are  willing  to  receive  a  salary  of  s";.(iii  i — iiav  iiiK'  half  in  cash,  and  half  in  stock  of 
the  Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  all  \alinii-,  in  \,  w  York. 

And  in  case  that  the  Board  should  not  bu  (li,si).)si.Ml  to  adopt  this  amendment  to  the  propo- 
sal made,  we  beg  to  offer  still  another,  which,  though  not  nuito  so  agreeable  to  us  as  the  pay- 
ment in  stock,  would  still  be  less  indefinite,  than  the  form  in  which  we  have  received  the 
question,  viz: — We  are  willing  to  receive  a  salary  of  j^.j.OiJO,  payable  half  in  cash,  and  half 
as  soon  as  the  receipts  of  the  Exhibition  shall  ainou[it  to  10  per  cent,  of  the  cost  of  the 
building.  Wo  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  high  esteem,  the  Honorable  Board's 

Most  obedient  servants, 

G.  CARSTENSEN  &,  C.  GILDExMEISTER. 

VIIL 

No.  53  Broadway,  November  5th,  1852. 

Gentlemen, 

I  wish  to  call  to  your  serious  attention  the  subject  of  the  delays  that  are  taking  place  in 
regard  to  the  execution  of  the  building  on  Reservoir  S(|uare.  Tlio  very  latest  day  that  can 
be  named  for  the  time  when  the  building  itself  should  be  finished,  is  the  loth  of  March,  and 
we  have  but  little  more  than  four  months  from  now  to  that  period.  Our  contracts  are  not  all 
made,  our  working-drawings  are  not  completed,  and  not  a  column  is  yet  erected. 

I  have  no  intention  at  present,  more  than  to  direct  your  attention  to  this  state  of  things, 
and  the  very  serious  responsibility  that  will  attach  to  every  one  of  the  gentlemen  connected 
with  the  construction  of  the  edifice,  if  any  delay  or  omission  prevents  the  opening  of  the 
building  on  the  day  that  wo  have  already  notified  the  world  that  it  would  open,  viz.  the 
2d  of  May. 

I  feel  very  sure  that,  if  your  minds  are  called  to  the  deep  interest  we  all  have  in  securing 
perfect  punctuality  in  respect  to  the  opening  of  the  ivvliiliilioii,  no  possible  exertion  will  be 
omitted  by  you  to  secure  this  result.    I  should  be  glad  to  he  fa\ ored  w  ith  a  reply. 

I  am.  Gentlemen, 

Respectfully,  your  obedient, 
THEODORE  SEDGWICK,  President. 
Messrs.  Cakstensen  &.  Gildemeistek,  74  Broadway. 


56 


APPENDIX. 


IX.* 

New  York,  NovemLer  9tli,  1852. 

SiK, 

In  repl}'  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  5th  inst,,  we  beg  leave  to  give  the  following 
explanations. 

The  delay  which  has  lately  manifested  itself  in  regard  to  the  erection  of  the  building  on 
Reservoir  Square,  is  by  no  means  occasioned  by  any  neglect  or  omission  on  our  part. 

The  working-drawings,  specifications,  &:c.,  for  the  principal  part  of  the  building  have  been 
furnished  by  us  in  such  good  time  that  the  greater  part  of  the  ground  floor  might  have  been 
erected  before  now,  if  circumstances,  completely  beyond  our  control,  had  not  prevented  it. 
We  would  also,  by  this  time,  have  completed  the  remainder  of  the  working  drawings,  if  we 
had  not  been  so  frequently  and  so  considerably  interrupted  in  the  execution  of  our  designs,  by 
being  summoned  to  attend  to  different  details  ;  as,  for  example,  the  explanation  of  working- 
drawings  to  a  vast  number  of  competitors  for  the  iron-work,  attendance  to  the  mason-work 
and  digging,  to  the  pattern  shop,  the  supply  of  numerous  copies  of  every  working  drawing, 
for  contracts,  &c.,  &c. — many  of  which  items  do  not  properly  belong  to  the  architect's  sphere. 
Still  we  shall  yet  be  able  to  accotnplish,  in  proper  time,  whatever  can  bo  justly  claimed  from 
us,  if  we  are  fairly  allowed  a  free  and  uninterrupted  employment  of  our  time  and  joint  capa- 
cities, according  to  our  best  judgment. 

We  need  not  add  that  our  interest  in  securing  (as  far  as  it  is  possible,  for  our  very  limited 
power)  strict  punctuality  in  respect  to  the  opening  of  the  Exhibition,  must  necessarily  be  as 
deep  as  that  of  any  one  of  the  gentlemen  connected  with  the  construction  of  the  edifice, 
since  its  complete  success  will,  we  hope,  secure  us  that  reputation  and  considerable  part 
of  the  remuneration  for  our  work,  which  at  present  is  at  stake. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Your  most  obedient  sei-vants, 

G.  CARSTENSEN  &  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

Theod.  Sedgwick,  Esq.,  President, 

Association  kor  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations. 

X. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations, 

Office,  53  Broadway,  New  York,  November  30th,  1852. 

Gentlemen, 

Since  the  conversation  which  I  had  recently  with  you,  in  pursuance  of  the  resolution 
passed  on  the  18th  inst.,  in  regard  to  the  delays  in  the  construction  of  the  Building,  the 
Directors  of  this  Association  have  had  the  sulycct  again  before  them,  and  I  am  instructed 
to  make  you  the  following  communicatidti. 

It  appears  satisfactorily  proved  to  the  Board,  by  yoin-  separate  admissions,  that  unne- 
cessary delay  has  taken  place  in  the  ]):x'paj-ali()a  of  the  WDrking-drawings — that  this  delay 
has  been  in  greater  or  Irss  degree  contimied  ever  since  the  letter  I  addressed  you  on 
the  5tli  inst.,  and  \vi"  are  moreover  convinced,  tleit  this  delay  may  possibly  prove  here- 


APPENDIX. 


oT 


after  of  very  serious  consequence  in  regard  to  the  eoinpletion  of  the  building  by  the  time 
reciuisite  to  enable  tlic  Directors  to  open  it  on  the  day  for  which  they  stand  pledged, 
viz.  tiio  2d  of  May. 

It  is  with  the  utmost  surprise  and  regret  that  the  Directors  have  come  to  this  conclusion. 
Your  contract  witii  us  binds  you  to  furnish  the  necessary  working-drawings  forthwith,  and  it 
is  plain  that  your  undertaking,  in  this  respect,  has  not  been  complied  with. 

But  the  Board  tiiink  that  they  have  a  right  to  expect  something  more  from  you  than  a 
htiict  adherence  to  tlie  agreement.  You  must  be  a\vai-e,  by  this  time,  that  this  Association 
has  much  hiyher  olijects  in  view  tiian  mere  pecuniaiy  success.  The  selection  of  your  plan 
fill-  the  buililinu''.  umli  r  the  circumstances  under  which  it  was  made,  of  itself  furnishes  the 
str.in:ie.-,t  cviJi/ncc.  t!i:it  the  great  end  we  have  before  us  is  to  carry  through  a  novel  and 
dillicult  undertaking-  in  a  manner  which  shall  redound  to  the  credit  of  all  parties  concerned. 
We  i;ave  already  elevated  what  is,  in  truth,  a  mere  private  enterprise,  to  the  grade  of  an 
:i!niost  national  undertaking;  and  this  has  been  our  aim  from  tlie  outset. 

When  your  plan  wa.s  tirst  submitted  to  us.  you  were  all  but  total  strangers  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Board — one  of  you  just  arrived  in  the  country.  You  had  for  competitors,  archi- 
tects and  mechanics  of  great  reputation  and  influence,  but  tiie  Board  selected  your  plan  on  its 
own  merits,  without  other  recommendation  or  support,  simply  because  they  thought  it  the 
best,  and  because  they  believed  that  the  beauty  and  originality  of  the  design  furnished  proof 
that  you  fully  aj)preciated  the  scheme  and  purposes  of  the  Association,  and  gave  an  earnest 
of  your  future  devotion  to  its  cause. 

It  is  with  deep  pain  that  the  Board  find  themselves  mistaken  in  this  just  expectation,  and 
it  is  with  great  regret  that  I  now  address  this  communication  ;  but  there  is  no  alternative. 
The  interest  of  the  stockholders,  the  claims  of  the  public,  and  the  reputation  of  the  individual 
members  of  the  Board  are  not  to  be  overlooked  or  trifled  with  ;  and  we  are  determined  to 
shrink  from  no  steps  that  the  emergencies  require. 

I  am  therefore  instructed  to  say,  that  the  Board  desire  and  e.xpect,  that  all  tlie  working 
drawings  yet  remaining  unfinished,  will  be  comjilcted  and  furnished  to  the  Engineer  witli  all 
possible  dispatch.  They  do  not  wish  the  question  of  expense  to  stand  for  a  moment  in  the  way, 
and  they  therefore  consent  to  the  employment,  by  you,  at  their  charge,  of  any  additional  num- 
ber of  hands  necessary  to  bring  on  the  working-drawings  with  the  utmost  possible  expedition. 
They  sincerely  and  earnestly  hope  that  this  is  the  last  time  they  may  find  themselves  com- 
pelled to  refer  to  this  subject ;  and  that  the  deep  personal  interest  which  you  have  in  this 
question,  will  induce  you  to  lose  not  an  instant  in  the  completion  of  the  work. 

If,  however,  unhappily,  this  should  not  be  the  case,  and  if  any  unnecessary  delay  in  the 
drawings  should  hereafter  take  place,  I  am  further  instructed  to  say,  that  the  Board  will 
not  hesitate  to  assume  into  their  own  hands  the  entire  management  of  the  affair,  and  will  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  select  such  other  architects  as  they  shall  see  fit  to  employ. 

I  am,  Gentlemen, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient, 

THEODORE  SEDGWICK,  President. 

XI. 

New  York,  February  22d,  1853. 

SiK, 

When  we   undertook   the  contract   for  furnishing  designs  and  working-draw-ings  for 


APPENDIX. 


the  Exhibition  Building,  we  were  necessarily  unaware,  from  the  magnitude  of  the  structure, 
the  novelty  of  the  mode  and  material  of  its  construction,  of  many  expenses  which,  in  our 
progress,  we  have  encountered. 

We  have  found  that  thr  tcniis  ni'  Ihc  contract  were  not  remunerative,  nor  sucii  as,  witli 
our  present  expri-iiiirr.       ,  entered  into;  but  still  we  have  held  ourselves  ready 

and  willing  tn  fullil  tliu  cni^n-ciiicnts  we  have  made,  and  feel  too  much  pride  and  interest  in 
the  completion  of  the  work,  to  neglect  any  eflurt  to  do  ourselves  credit,  and  to  satisfy  the 
Association. 

We  make  the  foregoing  statement,  because  we  have  now  received  the  last  instalment  on 
our  contract,  which  we  arc  entitled  to,  before  the  opening  of  the  exhibition.  We  do  not 
wish  by  this,  to  ask  any  change  of  the  existing  contract,  however  much  the  terms  of  it  may 
give  us  present  inconvenience ;  but  in  view  of  the  foregoing  facts,  we  hope  that  the  Associa- 
tion will  not  find  it  an  unreasonable  claim  we  now  make,  that  of  remuneration  for 
the  amount  of  extra  work  already  done,  and  still  to  be  done,  consequent  upon  alterations  and 
additions  to  the  original  plan,  and  especially  on  account  of  the  erection  of  the  two-story 
Arcade  between  the  Reservoir  and  the  main  building.  For  all  this  additional  work  we  think 
wc  are  entitled  to  a  remuneration  of  not  less  than  one  thousand  dollars,  and  trust  that  our 
claim  will  meet  the  approval  of  the  Honorable  Board.  The  receipt  of  this  amount  on  the 
1st  of  March  would  be  particularly  acceptable  to  us,  and  relieve  us  from  anxiety,  and  enable 
us  to  devote  all  our  time  and  abilities  to  our  engagements  with  you.  We  hope,  therefore,  it 
may  meet  the  views  of  the  Honorable  Board,  to  make  payment  at  that  time. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servants, 

G.  CARSTENSEN  &.  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

Theod.  Sedgwick,  Esq.,  President, 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations. 

Xll. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations, 

Office,  53  Broadway,  New  York,  24th  February,  1853. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &.  Gildemeister, 

Gentlemen, — At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  this  Association,  held  this  day, 
it  was 

Resolved,  That  there  be  advanced  at  once  to  Messrs.  Carstensen  &,  Gildemeister,  the  sum 
of  one  thousand  dollars,  to  be  charged  to  them  on  account  of  the  fund  payable  to  them, 
contingently,  under  their  contract  with  the  Association. 

I  am,  very  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant. 

^VM.  WHETTEN,  Secretary. 

XIII. 

No.  53  Broadway,  10th  March,  1853. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &  Gildemeister, 

Gentlemen, — A  Committee  of  the  Board  will  attend  at  your  office  to-morrow  (Fri- 
day) between  10  and  12  o'clock. 


APPENDIX. 


You  will  be  pleased  to  have  all  the  working-drawings  of  the  additional  building  ready  for 
their  inspection  at  that  time  ;  and  if  any  of  tlieni  arc  out  of  your  ottioe,  you  will  get  them 
together,  and  have  them  ready  fur  examination.  Respectfully, 

THEOD.  SEDGWICK,  President. 

XIV. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations. 

Office,  No.  53  Broadway,  Xf.w  Voi:k,  I  ttli  March,  1853. 

Gentlemen, 

I  have  very  sincere  pleasure  in  communicating  to  you.  thr<uigh  'Sly.  Dctinnld,  Superintend- 
ing Engineei-,  the  resolution  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  jn-ogress  of  the 
Crystal  Palace,  that  a  thousand  dollars  be  appropriated  for  tiie  payment  of  extra  work  in 
your  bureau,  for  the  plans,  &c.,  of  the  additional  huililing;  the  arrangement  as  to  the  order 
and  time  of  delivery  of  these,  as  well  as  of  those  not  yt't  finished  pertaining  to  the  main 
building,  to  be  made  by  Mr.  Detmold. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  you,  that  the  Committee  was  disapjiuinted  to  find  the 
biulding  behind  its  expectations;  and,  for  myself,  I  must  say  frankly  that  in  view  of  the  re- 
sponsibilities that  I  have  as^uincd,  in  c(.minon  with  the  Directors,  and  their  pledges  to  the 
public,  which  I  shall  be  th.m-ht  to  \v.i\r  n. in], ted,  I  was  not  a  little  startled  to  see  the  possi- 
bility of  my  standing  before  the  coninmiiity  as  one  of  the  authors  of  a  disappointment  that 
would  be  spread  throughout  the  entire  length  and  breadth  of  tlie  country,  in  whose  service  I 
liave  the  honor  to  be. 

Knowing  that  from  your  and  their  antecedents  an{l  associations,  you  and  the  gentlemen  of 
your  department  will  feel  vividly  how  [)aiiifully  their  apprehension  has  struck  me,  I  unhesi- 
tatingly appeal  to  you  and  them,  to  contribute  every  etlbrt  to  avert  what  would  be  a  deep 
mortification  to  us  all.  And  I  confidently  throw  mvself  u|)on  the  sense  of  honor  of  all 
my  coadjutors  in  the  enterprise  to  whose  success  I  have  committed  myself,  to  give  their 
whole  heart  to  the  work  ;  and  to  carry  to  a  suci'essful  issue — and  without  break  or  dis- 
appointment in  its  jirogrcss,  an  undertaking  that  has  become  semi-national  in  its  character 
and  scope,  and  in  which  the  honor  of  the  nation  itself  is  concerned. 

I  owe  it  to  the  gentlemen  of  your  bureau  further  to  say,  that  the  skill  and  taste  of 
which  their  work  give  evidence,  showing  them  to  be  gentlemen  of  education  and  refinement, 
warrant  me  in  making  an  appeal  to  them,  that  can  only  be  based  upon  the  attribution  of  qua- 
lities responsive  to  it;  and  I  feel  constrained  to  say  this,  as  a  preface  to  the  assurance  that  I 
will  see  that  their  extra  exertions  shall  be  remunerated  at  the  completion  of  their  work. 
I  am,  gentlemen. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

S.  F.  DUPONT,  General  Superintendent. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &l  Gildemeister,  Architects,  &.c.,  of  Crystal  Palace. 

XV. 

T'  I'.e  Ilnnorahle  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry 
of  all  Nations. 

New  York,  April  16th,  1853. 

Cr.NTLEiUEN, 

Uj)  t)  this  time  we,  as  architects  of  the  Crystal   Palace,  have  undertaken  with  your 


60 


APPENDIX. 


liberal  sanction,  the  plan  and  execution  of  this  great  work.  No  efforts  have  been  spared 
on  our  part,  to  render  it  acceptable  to  you,  and  hence  to  the  public  ;  and  consequently, 
we  feel  both  personal  interest  and  artistic  pride  in  determining,  according  to  our  taste  and 
judgment,  the  final  details  of  decoration,  which  form  an  essential  part  of  the  building,  con- 
sidered as  a  whole,  as  we  have  already  done  with  those  of  the  building  itself,  as  regards 
artistic  form.  Without  knowing  the  actual  state  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Board  in  this 
matter,  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  it  is  contemplated  to  employ  another  artist,  and 
though  we  but  wish  the  co-operation  of  such  a  person,  we  feel  it  our  duty  to  explain  what 
we  deem  to  be  our  right  in  this  matter.  In  this  we  will  follow  the  rule  and  practice  every- 
where accorded  to  Architects,  similarly  situated  with  ourselves. 

We  are  indifferent  as  to  who  executes  these  decorations,  and  claim  no  additional  remune- 
ration therefor,  but  we  think  ourselves  entitled  to  a  voice  in  determining  the  stylo  of  deco- 
ration; for  the  artistic  spirit  of  the  whole  edifice  must,  to  be  uniform,  emanate  from  one 
and  the  same  source.  We  can,  therefore,  not  be  content  to  see  others  come  in  at  the  last 
moment,  and,  without  any  consideration  for  us,  finish  that  part  of  the  work  which  makes 
the  strongest  appeal  to  popular  admiration  or  approval.  We  do  not  say  this  for  the  first 
time,  or  with  any  spirit  of  presumption,  growing  out  of  the  fact  that  we  have  the  work  at 
hand.  In  the  communication  which  we  had  the  honor  to  make  to  tiio  Superintending  Engi- 
neer, C.  E.  Detmold,  Esq.,  under  date  of  August  18th,  1852,  in  answer  to  an  official  letter 
from  him,  we  explicitly  defined  our  position  thus : 

"  If,  therefore,  the  Honorable  Board  should  be  pleased  to  adopt  our  plans,  we  could  not 
but  wish  ourselves  to  lead  the  execution,  in  connection  with  yom-self,  as  Superintending 
Engineer  and  Architect,  and  controlled  by  you;  in  order  not  only  to  furnish  the  requisite 
working-drawings,  dsc,  but  also  to  have  a  voice  in  the  manifold  details,  modifications,  alter- 
ations, &c.,  which  generally  are  incumbent  upon  the  Architect,  in  his  capacity  of  Superin- 
tendent, Decorator,  <^c.,  during  the  progress  of  the  execution  of  his  plan." 

Now  our  position  so  defined,  was  absolutely  confirmed,  when  our  plans  were  accepted,  and 
it  is  known  that  we  only  agreed  to  become  the  Architects  on  the  terms  we  named,  because  we 
were  to  have  the  superintendence  (of  course  with  the  sanction  of  the  Board)  of  the  work 
even  to  its  final  details. 

We  have  such  full  confidence  in  your  sense  of  justice,  that  we  deem  it  unnecessary  to  dwell 
upon  this  point,  believing  the  matter  to  be  so  clear  as  to  carry  with  it  entire  conviction. 

We  did  not,  we  may  add,  willingly  show,  even  to  the  few  persons  who  saw  them,  the 
designs  on  paper  which  were  executed  of  the  interior,  under  unfavorable  circumstances,  and 
perhaps  under  misappi-ehension  of  the  wishes  of  the  Honorable  Board ;  but  on  this  point,  we 
request  permission  to  explain  ourselves  verbally  to  the  Board,  in  presence  of  the  Superintend- 
ing Engineer,  C.  E.  Detmold,  whose  evidence  in  points,  where  we  might  have  been  misunder- 
stood, will  duly  explain  our  position  in  this  regard.  We  were  too  much  pressed  for  time  to 
execute  them  ourselves  as  we  should  have  wished,  and  besides,  felt  that  our  ideas  on  this 
head  could  only  be  duly  appreciated  by  showing  the  colors  on  the  building  itself  We  may 
mention  here,  that  as  every  arch,  moulding,  frieze,  &c.,  bears  a  decorative  form,  to  be  further 
developed  by  the  system  of  coloring  the  same,  the  latter  could  not  be  done  by  others  than 
ourselves  without  the  risk  of  creating  a  discordance  between  the  one  and  the  other. 

And  to  do  unto  others  as  we  would  be  done  by,  we  would  not  undertake  to  finish  the 
work  of  any  Architect,  similarly  situated  with  ourselves.    If  the  Honorable  Board  wishes,  we 


APPKXniX. 


61 


will  send  them  an  expose  of  the  style  we  deem  appropriate  to  the  decoration,  with  the  cost 
&c.,  thereof. 

Trusting  that  this  letter  may  meet  the  approbation  of  the  Honorable  Board, 
We  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Their  obedient  servants, 

G.  CARSTEXSEN  &,  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 


XYI. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  I.ndustrv  of  all  Nations, 

New  York,  21st  April,  1853. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &l  Gildemeister,  Architects,  &c.. 

Gentlemen, — Your  communication  of  the  16th,  on  the  subject  ot'  the  il<ci nations,  has 
been  submitted  to  the  Board,  and  in  reply,  I  have  to  state,  that,  whiNt  the  B'lar.l  apiircciato 
and  share  your  dcsiie,  that  the  decorations  of  the  Building  should  bo  in  creilitable  harmony 
with  its  general  architectural  style  and  character  of  construction,  yet  they  do  not  admit  the 
position  claimed  by  you,  that  they  are  in  any  wise  committed  to  you  for  the  directions  and 
guidance  of  the  dccorati.. lis  ns  youi- contrart  of  ihr  -'i'li  Au-u^t,  18.5 J.  in  their  judgment, 
bear-,  no  siK'h  ron.tiih'tion.  \ol with-tan  liii-  tli  •  vory  s.rious  [.rruniary  lo>s  and  general 
di^ai^pointmrnt  rival^.l  l,y  the  .Irlay  of  tli.^  roinjilriion  of  tin-  Huiidm-  largely  owing  to  the 
late  day  at  wliieli  the  working-drawings  tor  the  mo.st  imi>oitant  portions  of  the  building 
were  furnished  by  you,  tin.'  opportunity  and  the  means  were  given  you,  by  the  Association, 
for  preparing  and  submitting  designs  for  the  interior  decorations.  This  was  done  at  the  ear- 
nest request  of  'Sir.  Detmold,  the  SuperintendinLC  Airhitect  and  i';ngin( cr.  and  in  recogiution 
of  the  principle,  that  the  views  of  the  Architects  should  not  be  (liMvganli  d  in  the  choice  of 
the  decorations.  But  after  having  waited  a  full  month  for  tlioM'  cle>i-;i<.  you  withhcdd  them, 
on  the  ground,  as  was  understood,  of  their  not  being  satisfactory  even  to  your.-elves,  nor 
have  we  since  then  received  i'rom  you  any  definitely  expressed  views  as  to  the  principles 
that  should  govern  the  interior  decorations.  Unwilling  to  leave  this  (juestion  any  longer  in 
doubt  and  uncertainty,  the  Board  have  taken  the  whole  subject  of  decoration  into  their  own 
hands,  and  appointed  a  Committee  with  power;  in  doing  which  they  have  but  exercised  tho 
same  right  and  judgment  that  guided  them  in  the  selection  of  the  jilan  of  the  building  itself. 
You  will  perceive,  therefore,  that  the  Board  cannot  concede  to  your  request,  to  leave  the  deco- 
rations to  you,  especially  as  much  yet  remains  to  be  done  in  the  erection  of  the  Building, 
which,  in  accordance  with  your  contract,  requires  above  all  your  whole  service,  time,  and 
attention.  I  am,  gentlemen, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 

THEODORE  SEDGWICK,  President. 


XVII. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Directors  for  the  Associal  ion  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of 
all  Xalions,  Xeie  York. 

Gentlemen, 

Under  the  supposition  that  a  calculation  of  the  amount  of  surface  to  be  painted  on  the 
New  York  Crystal  Palace  may  be  acceptable  to  you,  we  hereby  have  the  honor  to  forward 


APPEXDIX. 


to  yon  tlic  inclosed  bill  of  quantities.     Tn  duinir  so,  we  beg  leave  at  the  same  time  to  repeat 
our  view.s,  with  some  fc-.v  niodilications,  in  n-nard  to  the  decoration  of  the  Buildinrr,  which 
have  been  jiartially  expressed  to  you,  in  a  letter  from  the  Superintending  Engineer  and  Archi- 
tect, C.  E.  Dctniold,  Esq. 
They  are  as  follows: 

Out.side  the  building  a  lively  olive  bi'onze  color,  for  panels,  columns,  arches,  girders,  cor- 
nices, towels,  lie.  The  jirojecting  parts  of  the  mouldings  to  be  kept  with  a  lighter  shade, 
and  .in  s,.iiic  of  the  receding  parts,  with  a  darker  shade  of  the  same  .standard  color. 

The  heads  and  brackets  on  the  window-arches,  ornaments  over  cornice,  tower  railings,  &c., 
to  be  gilt;  or  painted  with  a  color  substituted  for  gilding. 

The  window-frames  and  bars  to  be  painted  with  a  very  dark  green  bronze  color,  so  as  to 
relieve  the  shade  of  the  glass.  A  specimen  of  this  mode  of  decoration  has  been  executed 
under  our  direction,  on  a  section  towards  the  north-west  part  of  the  building. 

The  roof  of  the  lean-tos,  aisles,  nave,  and  dome,  to  be  painted  with  c(ip])er-green,  or  lead 
color.  The  projecting  ribs  of  the  dome  to  be  gilt,  or  receive  a  color  capable  of  being  substi- 
tuted for  gilding. 

All  the  louvres  with  a  warm  straw-color.  The  outside  railings  with  a  greenish  bronze 
color.    Lamp  posts  and  lamps  relieved  with  slight  gilding,  or  a  substitute  for  the  same. 

Inside  of  the  building. — Columns,  girders,  arches,  &c.,  with  a  warm  yellow  color,  relieved 
with  stripes  of  a  rich  deep  blue,  and  red  and  white.  Base  pieces,  capitals,  brackets,  mould- 
ings, and  other  ornaments  painted  with  positive  colors,  and  gilding  according  to  principles  ex- 
isting for  moresque  decorations.  The  construction  of  the  roofs,  as  standards,  braces,  rafters, 
purlins,  ribs,  tie-rods,  trusses,  &c.,  with  a  deep  orange  color,  relieved,  when  necessary,  with  a 
deep  red  color.  The  ceiling  of  the  lean-tos,  aisles,  nave,  and  dome  to  be  painted  with  white, 
red,  and  blue  colors,  on  canvas,  forming  panels  between  the  intersections  of  the  said  puriins, 
rafters,  &c.  This  part  of  the  decoration  should  be  kept  very  lively  and  airy,  principally  on 
the  dome,  as  the  lightness  of  the  construction  will  not  suffer  any  heavy  looking  covering. 
The  borders  of  those  panels  should  not  be  too  broad,  or  too  complicated  in  their  designs,  as 
the  first  will  not  look  well,  and  the  last  will  occupy  too  long  a  time  in  executing  ;  a  tasteful 
and  noble  simplicity  should  be  the  general  characteristic  of  the  decoration.  For  this  reason, 
we  should  object  to  the  under  part  of  the  gallery  floors  being  varnished,  as  they  will  appear 
entirely  too  heavy  and  dark,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  lively  colors  of  the  girders,  and 
lean-to  ceilings — a  white  color  with  a  slight  tint  of  either  blue  or  pink,  with  deep  blue  or  red 
stripes  on  the  chamfering  of  beams,  &c.,  would  produce,  according  to  our  ideas,  a  much  more 
harmonizing  and  finished  effect.  The  railings  of  galleries,  stairs,  &c.,  to  be  painted  white 
and  varnished ;  the  standards,  eagles,  and  rosettes  to  be  relieved  with  gilding.  Also,  for  a 
part  of  this  inside  decoration  a  specimen  has  been  executed,  under  our  direction,  in  a  part 
of  the  north-west  lean-to.  In  conclusion,  we  beg  leave  to  add,  that  the  above  mentioned 
style  of  decoration  is  kept  in  accordance  with  the  tinted  designs  of  the  outside  and  inside 
perspective  views  of  the  building,  which  w-e  had  the  honor  to  present  to  the  Board,  when  we 
submitted  our  plan  in  competition  with  oihers ;  the  only  modification  made  being  the 
bronze  color  for  the  outside,  which  we  found  the  necessity  of,  in  perceiving  the  dark  green 
shade  thrown  by  the  glass  on  the  whole  building,  and  which  materially  deteriorates  its  gene- 
ral effect.  We  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  high  esteem. 

The  Honorable  Board's  most  obedient  servants, 

G.  CARSTENSEN  &  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

New  York,  May  \Zih,  1853. 


APPENDIX. 


63 


XVIII. 

New  York,  August  3d,  1853. 

Dear  Sir, 

Forced  by  unforeseen  circumstances,  we  hereby  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  ourselves 
to  you,  with  regard  to  the  subject  of  the  remuneration  promised  us,  for  our  designs,  &c., 
of  the  New  York  Crystal  Palace.  We  have  received  from  the  Association  the  sum  of 
$4,000,  which  amount,  we  regret  to  say,  has  not  been  sufficient  to  defray  our  personal 
expenses,  and  meet  those  connected  with  the  execution  of  our  work.  It  is  now  nearly 
twelve  months  since  we  were  engaged  by  the  Association,  and  during  that  time  we  have 
entirely  devoted  ourselves  to  the  completion  of  tiio  Exiiibition  Building,  and  have  thus  been 
prevented  from  accepting  or  entering  into  ciimpctitions  for  any  other  undertaking,  which 
migiit  have  proved  lucrative  to  us. 

We  therefore  solicit,  tiiat  you  would  kindly  represent  the  matter  to  the  Honorable  Board 
of  Directors,  and  obtain  for  us  their-  sanction  to  a  final  settlement  at  a  detinite  period,  of  the 
$2,000  still  due  to  us,  but  contingent  on  conditions  stipulated  in  our  contract. 
We  remain,  dear  sir, 

With  high  regard. 

Your  most  obedient  servants, 

G.  CARSTENSEN  &  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

Theod.  Sedgwick,  Esq.,  President, 

Association  for  the  E.\hibitio.\  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations. 

XIX. 

Association  for  the  E.xhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations, 

New  York,  6th  August,  1853. 

Gentlemen, 

Your  letter  in  reference  to  the  contingent  compensation  provided  for  by  your  contract 
was  brought  before  the  Board,  and  I  regret  to  s;iy,  that  the  matter  cannot,  at  present,  receive 
that  consideration  which  it  deserves. 

I  am,  gentlemen. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  very  obedient, 

THEODORE  SEDGWICK,  President. 
Messrs.  Carstensen  &-  Gildemeister,  Architects,  (fcc. 

XX. 

New  York,  September  12th,  1835. 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  August  the  6tli,  informing  us  that  the  matter,  respecting  the  contin- 
gent compensation  provided  for  by  our  contract,  was  brought  before  the  Board,  but 
could  not,  at  that  time,  receive  the  consideration  it  deserved,  has  been  duly  received  by  us ; 
and,  in  the  hope  of  obtaining,  at  a  future  meeting  of  the  Board,  a  satisfactory  result,  wo 


64: 


APPENDIX. 


have  until  the  present  moment  remained  silent.  Neither  would  we  now  re-appear  before 
you  on  this  same  subject,  did  not  circumstances  render  it  absolutely  necessary.  We  have 
been  offered  to  engage  in  an  enterprise  which  promises  to  be  of  m.aterial  advantage  for  us, 
but  the  want  of  means  for  tiie  preliminary  furtherance  of  our  part  in  this  enterprise,  forces  us 
most  respectfully  to  appeal  to  the  Honorable  Board,  for  a  special  consideration  of  the  matter. 
The  actual  loss,  in  pecuniary  view,  we  have  sustained  by  our  contract  witli  the  Association, 
chiefly  on  account  of  being  unable  during  t\u:  time  of  the  erection  of  the  Crystal  Palace  to 
attend  to  any  other  business,  urges  us  to  use  every  effort  in  repairing  our  damage. 

We  beg,  therefore,  now  in  writing,  to  repeat,  what  we  have  verbally  stated  to  you,  that 
we  are  willing  to  receive  the  amount  in  question  in  Crystal  Palace  stocks  at  nominal  value, 
which  mode  of  meeting  our  view  might  perhaps  be  most  convenient  to  the  Board  at  the  pre- 
sent moment. 

Hoping  that  you  will  excuse  our  having  troubled  you  again  on  this  subject,  and  begging 
your  kind  action  in  the  premises. 

We  remain,  dear  sir. 

Very  respectfully, 

Y^our  obedient  servants, 

G.  CARSTENSEN  &.  C.  GILDEMEISTER. 

Theod.  Sedgwick,  Esg.,  President, 

Association  fou  thk  E.xhibition  of  thh  Industry  of  All  NatiOxVs. 

XXI. 

Association  for  the  Exhibition  of  the  Industry  of  all  Nations, 

New  York,  September  19th,  1853. 

Gentlemen, 

Your  letter  of  the  12th  inst.  was  read  to  the  Board  to-day,  and,  upon  due  consideration,  it 
was  decided,  that  your  request  could  not  at  present  be  complied  with. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

L.  C.  STUART,  Acting  Secretary. 

Messrs.  Carstensen  &.  Gildemeister. 


AND  OTHERS  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  ERECTION  OF  THE  CRYSTAL  PALACE,  AND 
THE  EXHIBITION  OF  THE  INDUSTRY  OF  ALL  NATIONS. 


1. 

In  the  early  stages  of  the  enterprise  tlie  Board  of  Dikectoks  consisted  of  eleven  me;nb'_-r:;, 
who  were  appointed  under  the  autiiority  gnmli'd  by  the  Cliartei-. 

President. 

THEODORE  SEDGWICK. 

Vice-President,  Treasurer,  and  Secretary. 
WILLIAM  WIIETTEN. 

MORTIMER  LIVINGSTON.  ELBERT  J.  ANDERSON. 

ALFRED  PELL.  PHILIP  BURROW^S. 

AUGUST  BELMONT.  .TOHNSTON  LIVINGSTON. 

ALEXANDER  IIA:\IILT0N,  Jr.  CHARLES  W.  FOSTER. 

GEORGE  L.  SCHUYLER.  THEODORE  SEDGWICK, 


L.  C.  STUART,  Assislanl  Secretary. 
MAURICE  WEHLE,  Bookkeeper. 
FRANCIS  HAMILTON,  Clerk. 


DUNCAN,  SHERMAN  &  CO.,  Bankers,  N.  Y. 
CHARLES  BUSCHEK,  Sole  Authorized  European  Agent. 

No.  6  Charing  Cross,  London,  and  5  Rue  Lafitte,  Paris. 
G.  W.  HUGHES,  Special  Commissio7:er  to  Europe. 

9 


66 


Assistants  in  the  Architects^  Department. 


Constructing  Department. 

GEORGE  C.-mSTExNSEN,        )  .    , .,  , 

\  Archilncts. 
CHARLES  GILDEMEISTER.  S 

JULIUS  H.  KROEHL,  - 
OSWALD  DIEZ, 
A.  BAUER. 
J.  KAY. 

A.  MONTE  1,1LLA, 
A.  FISHER,  , 
F.  STRECKER,  j 
J.  PRITZI,  ^ 

Building  Department. 

C.  E.  DETMOLD,  Superintending  Engineer. 

HORATIO  ALLEN,  Consulting  Engineer. 

ED-MUM)  IIURRV,  Cwisidting  Architect. 

JULIUS  KROEIIL.  Assistm,/  r::,<finpcr. 

'iI10M\^  II   r\KH'  N  /   r/   Machine  Arcade. 

G.  W.  STA\T;).\.  il>'senoir  Square. 

IIENR\   M   \  \l  (..f  \        .  I  1,1  m  charge  rf  Office  at  Reservoir  Square. 

ED\V\RD  (  L\RK  J.n.i  ( 

E.  LEAVENWORTH. 

F.  CARSTENSEN, 


•/  the  Building  Commiltee. 


Surveyors. 
RICHARD  AMMERMAN,  N.  Y. 
P.  H.  DREYER.  N.  Y. 


Contractors 

For  the  erection  of  the  Crystal  Palace,  and  the  nuppli/in^  of  all  materials  used  therein. 

Masonry. 

LORENZO  MOSES,  N.  Y.  STEWART  &  SMITH,  N.  Y 

M.  B.  OSBORN,  N.  Y. 

Riggers,  and  Raisers  of  the  Building. 

NOE      MARSHALL,  N.  Y. 

Cast  and  Wrought  Iron  Work. 

HOGG  &  DELAMATER,  N.  Y. 
STILLMAN.  ALLEN  &l  CO.,  N.  Y. 
MOTT  &  .\YRES.  \.  Y. 
JAMES  L,  JACKSON.  N.  Y. 
L.  COLWELL  .V  CO.,  N.  V. 


67 


ROArH  &  JOHNSON,  N.  Y. 

D.  D.  EADfiER  A:  CO.,  N.  Y. 

BUCKUP  &  PlXiH,  N.  Y. 

F.  S.  CJ.AXTO.X,  N.  V. 

JAMES  RITCHIE,  Williamsburg-,  N.  Y. 

TUTTLE  &  l}An,EY,  Williamslnnsh,  N.  Y. 

MATTEAWAN  MACHINE  AND  .AIANUFACTURING  CO.,  Fishkill,  N.  Y, 

DANIEL  R.  BAKHY'j'E.  Fi.hkill.  N.  Y. 

VV.  H.  BARHYTE,  Fisl,l<i!l,  N.  Y. 

STANTON  &  MALLORY,  Newl.ar^'li,  N.  Y. 

SLATER  &.  STEELE.  J.  is.  y  City,  N.  J. 

A.  D.  BERRY,  Rockaway,  \.  J. 

JAMES  R.  TEMPLIN,  Easton,  Pa. 

JAMES  R.  &L  R.  B.  TEMPLIN,  Eastern,  Pa. 

BETTS,  PUSEY,  JONES  &,  SEAL,  Wilmington.  Del. 

MILLER  &  WILLIAMSON,  Wostport,  Conn. 

J.  W.  WATERFIELD  &  CO. 

BENEDICT  &  DUNN. 

AYRES  &  TAYLOR,  N.  Y. 

FREDERICK  B.  FL.VGLER. 

A.  J.  COFFIN  &  CO. 

UNION  POWER  CO.,  of  U.  S. 

S.  CLARK. 

Bolts,  said  Blacksmith's  Work. 

V.  H.  FOX  (late  Fo.x  &  Oothout). 
SAMUEL  HALL,  N.  Y. 
BOSTON  BOLT  CO.,  Boston,  Mass. 
DENNIS  DOLIN. 


Stairs. 
J.  B.  WICKERSHAM,  N.  Y. 
M.  H.  HOWELL,  N.  Y. 

Railing. 

J.  B.  WICKERSHAM,  New  York  City. 
Carpenters. 
JAMES  OWENS,  N.  Y. 
G.  L.  HAVEMEYER,  N.  Y. 

DAVENPORT,  FERRIS  &  LATHAM,  Camptown,  N.  J. 
DAVENPORT  &.  FERRIS,  Greenpoint,  L.  L 

Roofers  and  Tinners. 

EDWARD  CROMMELIN,  N.  Y. 
LEWIS  &  LOWEREE,  N.  Y. 
P.  MANNY,  WiJliamsburgh,  L.  L 


68 


Glaziers  and  Glass  Manufacturers. 

COOPER  &  BELCHER,  Camptown,  N.  J. 
E.  W.  VOORHEES,  N.  Y. 
MOORES  &  LITTLE,  N.  Y. 
RICHARDS  &  BROTHERS,  N.  Y. 
MATTHEW  KANE,  N.  Y. 

A.  ROLKER  MOLLilANN  &.  A.  PERIER,  N.  Y. 

Pile-Driving  for  Foundations. 

JAMES  M.  FERGUSON,  N.  Y. 

Plumbing,  Water  Pipes,  and  Sewerage. 

NATHANIEL  SAWYER,  N.  Y. 

Gas  Fixtures. 

JOHN  JOHNSON  &  BROTHER,  N.  Y. 

Painters  and  Decorators. 


HORATIO  GREENOUGH,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  SuperinlenderU  of  Painting  and  Decoraiim. 
A.  MONTE  LILLA,  Designer  and  Painter  of  Inlerior  of  Dome  and  Ceiling,  N.  Y. 
W.  G.  WINGHAM,  Overseer  of  Painters,  N.  Y. 


Zinc  Mouldings. 

JOSEPH  J.  GILBERT  &  SEELIG,  N.  Y. 


The  first  Annual  Election  for  Du-ectors  was  held  on  the  7th  March,  1853,  and  the  previoua 
Directors  were  elected.  Subsequently  an  amendment  to  the  Charter  authorized  the  appoint- 
ment of  fourteen  additional  Directors,  and  under  this  authority  the  following  Gentlemen  were 
added  to  the  Board 


II. 


HENRY  R.  DUNHAM. 
WM.  C.  WADDELL. 


JOHN  DUNHAM. 
WLLIAM  KENT. 
WATTS  SHERMAN. 
F.  W.  EDMONDS. 
J.  J.  ROOSEVELT. 


JACOB  A.  WESTERVELT. 


JAMES  A.  HAMILTON. 
SAMUEL  NICHOLSON. 


WM.  WHETTEN. 


Exhibiting  Department. 
CAPT.  S.  F.  DU  POXT,  U.  S.  X.,  Gemnd  Superinlendcnt. 
CAPT.  C.  H.  DAVIS,  U.  S.  N.,  Associate  do. 

resignation  of  Capts.  Du  Pont  aii.l  Davjs,  John  M.  B.vTriiELDEi!  n  us  api.ointrd  Artmg  Superi 

JOHN         BATCIIELDER,  Sa-marn  „/  the  Sur>;uitrmknl. 

SAMUEL  WEBIJER,  Arnni^rwni  ,/  Space  ami  Classifcalion. 

PROF.  B.  SILLI.AIAX,  Ji;.,  ami  Chetnislry. 

B.   P.   JOHNSON,  ALiricin'lural  ImiL-mcUs. 

JOSEPH  E.  H0L:\IES,  Muclunrnj. 

EDWARD  VINCENT,  Texliie  Fabrics. 

FELIX  PIATTI,  Sculpture. 


A/In-  fhe  opening  of  thn  Exlohitiov,  lit!,  of  July. 

§oartJ  flf  gimtors, 

President. 

THEODORE  SEDGWICK. 

MORTIMER  LIVINGSTON.  SAMUEL  NICHOLSON. 

ALFRED  PELL.  PHILIP  BURROWES. 

AUGUST  BEL^ilONT.  JOHNSTON  LIVINGSTON. 

ALEXANDER  HAMILTON,  Jr.  CHARLES  W.  FOSTER. 

GEORGE  L.  SCHUYLER.  WM.  W.  STONE. 

ELBERT  J.  ANDERSON.  WJL  WHETTEN. 

HENRY  R.  DUNHA:M.  JOHN  DUNHAM. 

WM.  C.  H.  WADDELL.  WM.  KENT. 

JACOB  A.  WESTERVELT.  WATTS  SHERMANT. 

JAMES  A.  HAMILTON.  F.  W.  EDMONDS. 
J.  J.  ROSEVELT. 

LABAN  C.  STUART,  Acting  Secretary, 
J.  B.  COLLINS,  Treasurer, 

On  the  resignation  of  J.  B.  Collins,  Chas.  E.  Anderson  was  appointed  Ti-eaaurer. 

MAURICE  WEHLE,  Bookkeeper, 
FRANCIS  HAMILTON,  Clerk, 
F.  G.  WOOD,  Clerk. 

CAPT.  F.  S.  DU  PONT,  U.  S.  N.,  General  Superintendent. 
CAPT.  CHAS.  H.  DAVIS,  U.  S.  N.,  Associate  Superintendent. 
J.  M.  BATCHELDER,  Engineer  and  Secretary  to  Superintendents. 
APTHORP  VANDEN  HEUVEL,  Clerk. 
CHARLES  MALLESON,  Clerk. 
HERMAN  SCHIRMER,  Messenger. 
S.  V.  BLAKE,  Engineer's  Assistant. 


THOMAS  WILLIAMS,  Messenger. 

DANIEL  EGAN,  Altendant. 

J.  E.  HOLMES,  Director  of  Machinery. 

A.  BANTA,  Assislan/. 

CHARLES  WIGHT,  Messm^^er. 

GEO.  W.  .MATSELL,  Cluef  „f  Police. 

J.  A.  P.  HOPKINS,  Caplain  of  Police. 

R.  W.  BOWYER,  Lieulenanl  CummandarU. 

Mineral  Department. 

PROF.  B.  SILLIMAN,  Jr.,  Direcior. 
W.  P.  BLAKE,  Associate. 
DR.  J.  B.  SMITH,  Secretary. 
JOHN  CANNER,  Assistant. 


Receiving  Office. 

J.  P.  RICHARDSON,  Foreign  Goods. 
J.  C.  JOURDAIN,  American  Goods. 


Invoice  Office. 

SAMUEL  BREVOORT,  Clerk. 
J.  D.  WOODBURY,  Assistant. 


G.  P.  PUTNAM  &  CO.,  Publishers  of  the  Illustrated  Recora. 


Department  of  Space. 

SAMUEL  WEBBER,  Superintendent. 

II.  S.  ROBERTS,      1  ^.  .  . 

CORDIS  OLIVER,     ^  '^'^ 

M.  BRUNEMAIRE,  French 

JAMES  BROWN,  English 

G.  S.  SCHEIFFELE,  German 

M.  CHAMBONNIERE,  Swiss 

M.  FASSIN,  Belgian 

L.  E.  BELMONT,  Austrian 

CHARLES  CORGHI,  Italian 

F.  MATON,  Picture  Gallery. 

Catalogue  Office. 

W.  C.  RICHARDS,  Editor. 


Agricultural  Department. 

COL.  B.  P.  JOHNSON,  Superintendent. 
HENRY  S.  BABBITT,  Clerk. 


Fire  Department. 

EDGAR  F.  RANDOLPH,  Chief. 
ROBERT  F.  RANDOLPH,  Assistant. 


71 


III. 

fist  of  liiries 

APPOINTED  FOR  PROXOUXCIXG  JUlxJ.MKNT  ( )X  AimCLES  EXHIBITED, 
AND  TEE  DISTRIi;UTloX  n]-  l'i;iZK>. 


First  Reward,  Silver  Medal. 

Second     "   Bronze  " 

Third       "   Honorable  Mention. 


Commissioners  of  Jurors. 

Prof.  B.  Silliman,  .Ir. 

B.  P.  Johnson,  Esq. 

Samuel  Webber,  E.sq. 

E.  Leavenworth,  Esq.,  Secretary. 

Jury  A.    Class  I.  Minerals  and  Metollur(jif,  Gcolo'iicol  and  Mining  Plans  and 

Sections.  Jurors: 
Prof.  Jai\ies  D.  Dana.  Wm.  C.  Redfield,  Esq. 

Prof.  James  Hall.  George  Sumner,  Esq. 

Jury  B.  Classes  2,  4,  part  of  Classes  ]0,  18,  24,  and  25.  Chemical  and 
Phannacentical  Products  and  Processis;  Vcj  tahlc  and  Animal  Substances  em- 
ployed in  Manufactures,  etc.,  dr.    Jukoi;.  : 

Prof.  John  Tokhev,  M.D.,  Vhainnan. 
H.  Planten,  Esq.,  Deputy. 
.1.  H.  CuRRiE,  Esq.  H.  D.  Tellkampf,  Esq. 

Dr.  T?.  W.  McCreadv,  Alexander  Oakley,  Esq. 

F.  L.  Talcott,  Esq.  David  A.  Wells. 

Dr.  J.  Br V ant  Smitil  Adbig  Scmiary. 


72 


Jury  C.  Ola«s  9.  A(/ricul(aru/,  Horlkultarul,  and  Dairy  Implements  and  Ma- 
chines.    JUHOR.S  : 

Hon.  Henry  Wagek,  VV^cstern  New  York,  Chaivvian, 
Watson  Newbold,  Esq.,  Coluinbii.-i,  N.  J.     Col.  John  W.  Pkoctok,  Danver.s,  M:i.ss. 
William  Evaks,  Esq.,  Jloiiti-ual,  Canada.       3Luoii  PiiiLir  R.  Freas,  (nn'mantovvn,  Pa. 
Henry  S.  Babbit.  Brouklyn,  L.  I.,  Acling  Secretary. 

Sub-Jury  C.  Class  3.  A(jricidt>iriil  Product-^,  Substances  used  as  Food,  Wines, 
Tobacco,  c{'c.    Jukoks  : 

Dr.  a.  S.  Elwyn,  Pliikulelphia,  Pennsylvania,  Dcpii/ij  Chairman. 
Prof.  Joii.n  A.  Porter,  Newhaven,  Conn.      .Tamils  B.  Oakley,  Esq.,  New  York  City. 
John  Anderson,  Esq.,  New  York  City.         Thmias  Hadden,  Esq.,  New  Y'ork  City. 
H.  D.  Tellkampf,  E.sq.,  New  York  Cit}'.      John  MAiisiiALL,  Esq.,  New  Y'ork  City. 

Sub-Jury.    Flour  and  Indian  Meal,  cL-c.  Jurous: 

James  B.  Oakley,  Chairman. 
John  IMarshall,  Esq.,  Thomas  Hadden,  Esq. 

Jury  D.  Classes  5,  G,  "i.  Muihines  ur  direct  nse,  includinrj  Steam,  Hydraulic 
and  Pneumatic  Enyines,  and  Railway  and  other  Carriages  ;  Machinery  and  Tools 
for  Alanufacturing  2)urposes ;  Civil  Engineering,  Architectitral,  and  Building  Con- 
trivances.   Jurors : 

Hon.  Ch.\s.  T.  James,  Providence,  R.  I.,  Cliai-mau. 
Victor  Beaumont,  Esq.,  New  Y'ork  City,  Secrclar//. 
Wm.  B.  Leonard,  Esq.,  New  York  City.       James  BouARDUS,  Esq.,  New  York. 
Hon.  Geo.  Geddes,  Fairniount,  N.  Y.  J.  W.  Ayres,  Esq.,  New  Y'ork. 

John  B.  Bell,  Esq.,  Pittslmrgli.  Pa.  S.  Woodruff,  Esq.,  Hmlford,  Conn. 

Sub- Jury  D.  Carriages.  Jurors: 

James       Quimbey,  Esq.,  Newark.  Samuel  K.  Bayley,  Esq.,  Boston. 

John  S.  Goold,  Esq.,  Albany. 

Jury  E.  Class  8.  Naval  Architi-cturc,  Military  Engineering,  Ordnance,  Armor' 
and  Accoutrements.  Jurors: 

Lt.  Col.  Sir;  Ja^ies  ]■].  Alexander,  A.D.C,  C.iiuula,  Chairman. 
E.  K.  Collins,  Esq..  New  York.  Col.  A.  G.  Hazard,  Eiilield,  Conn. 

Capt.  G.  W.  Cullum,  U.  S.  Cori.s      Eiig'rs.    Col.  Jas.  Page,  Philadelphia. 
Capt.  Chas.  H.  Bell,  U.  S.  Navy.  F.  Tellinghaus,  E.sq.,  New  York. 

Major  A.  ]*Iokdecai,  U.  S.  Ordnanee  Department,  Reporter. 

Jury  F.    Class  lu.     Piiilns'i  ihii- d  Iiistrniin'iil.-:  an  I  Products,  d-c.  ;  Daguerreo- 
types, Manx,  Chaits,  Snrgioil  Iii^l ruu'euls  and  A p^din arcs.     JuitOiiS  : 
Pr.orE..so,:  J.  Re:.wilk,  Cbnrm'in. 
Vr.ov.  A.  Clark.  i'r.or.  Carnochan. 

Dr.  Gaillardet.  H.  U.  Ki.-.ibeiiley,  Esq. 


73 


Dn.  Ellet,  Capt.  Fox. 

A.  B.  DuRAKD,  Esq.  Gen.  T.  S.  Cummings. 

Prof.  T.  L.  Buckingham.  Dr.  E.  G.  Ludlow. 

Geo.  W.  Blunt,  Esq.  Dr.  Willard  Parker. 

Dr.  Parkman.  Dr.  J.  Trenor. 

W.  Darling  Campbell,  Esq.  Dr.  E.  Parmly. 

Lieut.  A.  Noble,  R.  A.  Dr.  C.  C.  Allen, 

Dr.  J.  Bryant  Smith,  Acting  Secretary. 

Jury  G.  Classks  11,  12,  13,  14,  15.  Manufactures  of  Cotton,  Wool,  Silk,  Flax 
and  Ilcmu,  Mixed  Fabrics,  Shawls,  Vestinr/s,  <&c.    Jurors  : 

Amory  Edwards,  Esq.,  New  York,  Chairman. 
Julius  Griollet,  Esq.,  New  York.  N.  Sullivan,  Esq. 

F.  A.  Concklin,  Esq.,  New  York.  B.  L.  Corss,  Esq. 

G.  W.  Gushing,  Esq.  J.  H.  Watson,  Esq. 
O.  Zollikoffer,  Esq.  John  Hutton,  Esq. 
W.  Vermuhlen,  Esq.  John  Atwill,  Esq. 
James  Irwin,  Esq.                                   H.  D.  H.  Thomson,  Esq. 

N.  Kingsbury,  Esq.,  Connecticut. 

Jury  H.  Classes  16  and  20.  Leather,  Furs,  Hair,  and  their  Manufactures ; 
Wearing  Apparel.  Jurors: 

George  Taber,  Esq.,  Philadelphia,  Chairman. 

John  C.  Lord,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  City,  Secretary. 
Wood  Gibson,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  City.  N.  H.  Wildman,  Esq.,  Connecticut. 

Charles  Field,  Esq.,  Philadelphia.  Charles  St.  John,  Esq.,  New  York. 

David  Samuel,  Esq.,  Philadelphia.  Lorin  Brooks,  Esq.,  New  York. 

Seth  Boyden,  Esq.,  New  Jersey.  W.  G.  Hunt,  Esq.,  New  York. 

F.  LuDwiG,  Esq.,  St.  Petersburgh,  Russia.  Joseph  Cristadoro,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 
CuAS.  M.  Leupp,  Esq.,  New  York.  William  Bachelor,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

William  Hoyt,  Esq.,  New  York.  E.  W.  Tryon,  Esq.,  New  York. 

E.  M.  Young,  Esq.,  New  York.  C.  F.  Livermore,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

J.  Walliestein,  Esq.,  New  York.  John  F.  Henry,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

John  F.  Pray,  Esq.,  Boston. 

Jury  I.  Classes  19  and  26.  Tapestry,  including  Carpets  and  Floor  Cloths ; 
Lace,  Embroidery,  Trimming  and  Fancy  Needlework  ;  Decorative  Furniture  and 
Upholstery,  including  Papier-mache,  Paper-Hangings,  and  Japancd  Goods. 
Jurors 

WiLLUM  Gibson,  Chairman. 
George  Platt,  Esq.  John  Sartain,  Esq. 

Jury  I  a.    Classes  19  and  20.    Tapestry,  dx.  Jurors: 

John  Beck,  Esq.,  Chairman. 
Samuel  R.  Downer,  Esq.  A.  Kunzler,  Esq. 

Thomas  Lowndes,  Esq. 
10 


Sub-Jury  I.  Ladles  Garments,  Cloaks,  Shirts,  dr.  Jurors  : 
Ann  J.  Stephens,  E.  S.  Shailer. 

Martha  E.  Winterbothem. 


Jury  J.  Classes  21,  22.  CiUlery  aad  Edge  Tools;  Iron,  Brass,  Pewter,  and 
Gaural  Hardware,  including  Lamin,  Chandeliers,  and  Kitchen  Furniture. 
Jurors: 

Matthias  Stratton,  Esq.,  Philadelphia,  Chairman. 

Joseph  C.  Dilks,  Esq.,  Secretary. 
Robert  S.  Luquer,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  D.  S.  Arnold,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

Chas.  Tollner,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  Samuel  Coulter,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

Prof.  E.  N.  Horsford,  Cambridge,  Mass.     H.  A.  Hur.xthal,  Esq.,  Mobile. 
J.  D.  Chevalier,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  T.  E.  Radcliff,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

A.  Stratton,  Esq.,  Brooklyn.  Albert  S.  Lee,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

D.  C.  Halsted,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  Leonard  M.  Rust,  Esq. 

Jury  K.  Classes  28,  29.  Miscellaneous  Mamifacturcs  and  small  Wares,  Confec- 
tionery, Togs,  Taxidermy,  (Ct.    Jukoks  : 

William  H.  Ellet,  M.D..  New  York,  Chairman. 
Gen.  Avezanna,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  Philip  Saunders,  Esq.,  New  Haven,  ('onn. 

VV.  H.  Carey,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  Henry  Wurtz,  Es(i.,  Newark,  N.  J. 

A.  D.  EusON,  Esq.,  Ilartlurd,  Cdiin.  Edward  Glenn,  Esq.,  Piiiladelphia. 

Edward  Lamurche,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  John  Gerhard,  Juu.,  Esq.,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Jury  L.    Class  23.    Bronzes,  dc.    Jurors  : 

Robert  Rait,  Esq.,  Cliairman. 
Fred.  Claybrook,  Esq.,  Secretary. 
Sam'l  T.  Crosby,  Esq. 

Jury  Li  a.  Classes  24,  25.  Glass  Manufactures  ;  Porcelain  and  other  Ceramic 
Manufactures.    Jurors  : 

John  C.  Jackson,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  City,  Chairman. 
VVm.  p.  Hacker,  Esq.,  Philadelphia,  Penn.    A.  C.  Downing,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 
VV.  Cowles,  Esq.,  Baltimore,  Maryland.         Robert  C.  Wetmore,  Esq.,  N.  Y.  City. 
Ebenezer  Collamore,  Esq.,  New  York  City. 
John  R.  Mumford,  Esq.,  New  York  City,  Reporter  and  Secretary. 

Jury  M.    Musical  Imtrmnents.    Jurors  : 

William  Norris,  Esq.,  Philadeli>hla,  Chairman. 
George  T.  Bristow,  Esq.,  New  York,  Secretary. 
William  H.  Fry,  Es(i.,  Reporter. 

Mons.  Emilie  Girac,  New  York.  R.  Storrs  Willis,  Esq.,  New  York. 

Leopold  Mignen,  Esq.,  Philadelphia.  Alfred  Boucher,  Esq.,  New  York. 

Theo.  Eisfeldt,  Esq,  New  York.  Mons.  L.  G.  Jullien,  London,  England. 

Ma.x  Maretzek,  New  York. 


76 


Sub-Jury  M.    Billiard  Tables.  Jurors: 

Gen.  Noeris.  Theo.  Eisfeldt,  Esq. 

Leopold  Mignen,  Esq. 


Jury  N.    Classes  17,  23,  and  31.    Paper  and  Stationery,  Types,  Printing  and 


Bookbindinrj  ;  Bron.:es,  dx.    Jurors  : 


Henry  V.  Butler,  Esq. 
\V.  H.  Appleton,  Esq. 
A.  N.  Lewis,  Esq. 
J.  A.  Ortell,  Esq. 


A.  B.  Clark] 


C.  Van  Benthuysen,  Esq. 
R.  Grant  White,  Esq. 
F.  VV.  Bell,  Esq. 
Chas.  B.  Norton,  Esq. 
Chas.  Sherman,  Esq. 


Jury  O.    Class  31.    Pine  Arts,  Sculpture,  Paintings,  Engravings,  d:c.  Jurors: 

Professor  S.  F.  B.  Morse,  Chairman. 
Henry  Ulke,  Esq.  A.  B.  Durand,  Esq. 

Emv.  Antonissen,  Esq.  Prof.  E.  Felix  Foresti. 

Wm.  Young,  Esq.,  Albion  Office.  W.  W.  Corcoran,  Esq. 

Hyppolite  Sebron,  Esq.  H.  K.  Browne,  Esq. 

C.  L.  Elliots,  Esq. 
C  A.  Dana,  Esc].,  Tribuno  Office,  Secretary. 


IV. 


Present  Board  of  Directors,  &c. 


At  the  second  Annual  Election,  held  ( 
were  chosen  Directors : 

JACOB  A.  WESTERVELT. 
THOMAS  B.  STILLMAN. 
DUDLEY  PERSSE. 
WILLIAM  O'BRIEN. 
EDWARD  HAIGHT. 
JOHN  T.  FARISH. 
WILLIAM  B.  DIXSMORE. 
JOHX  H.  CORNELL. 
HENRY  HILTON. 
P.  T.  BARNUM. 
JOHN  H.  WHITE. 
MORTIMER  LIVINGSTON. 

WILLIAM 


the  6fh  March,  1854,  the  following  Gentlemen 

JAMES  B.  BREWSTER. 
GEORGE  B.  BUTLER. 
WARREN  LELAND. 
ERASTUS  C.  BENEDICT. 
WATTS  SHERMAN. 
CHARLES  H.  HASWELL. 
WILLIAM  WHETTEN. 
THEODORE  SEDGWICK. 
CHARLES  W.  FOSTER. 
SAMUEL  NICHOLSON.  - 
CHARLES  BUTLER. 
HORACE  GREELEY. 
CHAUNCEY. 


76 


President. 

P.  T.  BARNUM. 

LABAN  C.  STUART,  Acting  Secretary  ami  Treasurer. 

MAURICE  WEHLE,  Bookkeeper. 

P.  F.  BARNUM,  Secretary  and  Treasurer's  Office. 

G.  H.  BENEDICT,  " 

F.  G.  WOOD,  Clerk. 


J.  M.  BATCHELDER,  Acting  Superintendent  and  Engineer. 
GEORGE  CARSTENSEN,  Associate  do. 
A.  VANDEN  HEUVEL,  Ckrk. 


S.  BREVOORT,  Invoice  Office. 
I.  D.  WOODBURY,  Do. 


W.  B.  LEONARD,  Director  of  Machinery. 
F.  MATON,  Picture  Gallery. 


J.  T.  THOMPSON,  English  Department. 

P.  O'DEA,  American 

M.  BRUNEMAIRE,  French 

S.  S.  SCHEIFFELE,  German 

S.  E.  BELMONT,  Austrian  « 

C.  CORGHI,  Italian 

HENRY  GEROSA,  Sculpture  " 


P.  T.  SMITH,  Care  of  Grounds. 

L.  RATCHFORD,  Arms  and  Ordnance. 


S.  V.  BLAKE,  Engineer  on  Construction. 


Sole  European  Agent. 

CHARLES  BUSCHEK,  No.  6  Charing  Cross,  London,  and  6  Rue  Lafitte,  Paris. 
EDWARD  STAINER,  Us  Attorney  in  New  Ycyrk. 


CELEBRATED  GROUP 

In  course  of  publication,  a  highly  finished  Lithographic  Print  of  Christ  and  His  Apostles  by 
Thorwaldsen,  now  on  exhibition  in  the  New  York  C'rystal  Palace.  This  noble  Group,  arranged 
by  George  Carstensen,  is  surrounded  by  an  elegant  Gothic  design,  embracing  the  Baptismal  Font 
and  all  the  religious  Statues  and  Bas  Reliet's  of  that  distinguished  Sculptor. 

This  Plate,  28  by  22  inches  (designed  on  stone  by  Tii.  Benecke,  and  printed  in  tints  by 
Nagel  &l  Weingartner),  presenting  the  finest  Group  of  Religious  Statuary  in  the  world,  is 
published  in  connexion  with  the 

BOOK  OF  SCULPTUEE, 

EDITED  BY 

GEO.  CARSTENSEN, 

and  will  be  issued  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  month. 

will  be  published  (in  large  octavo),  semi-monthly,  in  numlters,  each  containing  eight  pages  of 
Letter-press,  together  with  four  Plates  of  illustrations.  It  will  present  carefully  written  biographi- 
cal Sketches,  etc.,  of  all  the  eminent  modern  Sculptors,  with  elegantly  executed  specimens  of 
their  works,  such  as  Statues,  Bas-reliefs,  Monuments,  etc.,  of  which  full  descriptions  will  be 
given  as  they  occur. 

Twelve  numbers  of  "the  Book  of  Sculpture"  will  complete  a  volume,  and  will  comprise  biogra- 
phical sketches  of  the  Americans,  Powers,  Crawford,  Greenough,  etc. 

The  Italians,  G.  &.  A.  Pisano,  Lorenzo  Ghiberti,  Donatello  Sansovino,  Giovanni  di 
Bologna,  Michelangelo  Buonarotti,  Benvenuto  Cellini,  Lorenzo  Bernini,  Canovaj 
Tenerani,  Marchesi,  Marochetti,  Monti  Bosio,  Algardi,  Bartolini,  Finelli,  etc. 

The  French,  Jean  Goujon,  David  d' Angers,  Pradier,  etc. 

The  Germans,  Schadow,  Senior  and  Junior,  Dannecker,  Rauch,  Schwanthaler,  Kiss, 
Wolf,  Rietschel,  Haenel,  etc. 

The  Danes,  Thorwaldsen,  Bissen,  Jerichau,  Freund,  etc. 

The  English,  Flaxman,  Marshall,  Lough,  Wyatt,  Gibson,  Foley,  etc.  In  combination 
with  selections  of  the 

BEST  STATUARY  EXHIBITED  IN  THE  AMERICAN  CRYSTAL  PALACE. 

This  work  does  not  address  itself  exclusively  to  the  general  reader.  It  also  aims  at  being  an 
illustrative  Hand-book  to  the  Artist  and  Modeller,  and  at  finding  a  place  in  the  Studio  as  well  as 
in  the  Drawing-room. 

The  technical  execution  of  the  work  will  be  equal  to  that  of  "  Christ  and  His  Apostles,"  to 

which  the  Publishers  can  confidently  point  as  a  specimen. 

Christ  and  His  Apostles,  $2  00 

The  Book  of  Sculpture,  25  cents  a  number  ;  yearly  subscription,  -       6  00 

Subscribers  to  The  Book  of  Sculpture  will  receive  the  Print  of  Christ  and  His  Apostles  for  $1  60. 


THE  WRITINGS 

OF 

THOMAS  JEFFERSON: 

BEING  HIS 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY,  CORRESPONDENCE,  REPORTS,  MESSAGES, 
ADDRESSES,  AND  OTHER  WRITINGS,  OFEICIAL 
AND  PRIVATE. 

Pl  liLISIiED   BY   THE  OliDEIl  OK  THE  JOINT  COMMITTEE  OK  CONGRESS  ON  TUE  UBEAET, 

FROM  THE   ORIGINAL  MANUSCRIPTS, 

DErOSITED   IN  THE  DEPARTMENT   OF  STATE. 

WITH   EXPLANATORY   NOTES,    TABLES    OF   CONTENTS,   AND   A  COPIOUS  INDEX  TO  EACH 
VOLUME,   AS   WELL  AS  A   GENERAL  INDEX  TO  THE  WHOLE, 
BY  TUE  EDITOR, 

H.    A.  WASHINGTON. 

To  be  completed  in  nine  volumes.  8vo. 

Published  by  RIKER,  THORNE  &  CO., 

New  York,  1854.  129  Fulton  Street. 


THE  POEMS 

OF 

FRANCES    SARGENT  OSGOOD. 
ILLUSTRATED  BY  THE  BEST  ARTISTS. 

IN  ONE  VOLUME  OCTAVO. 

The  following  exquisitely  finished  line  engravings  are  from  original  designs  by  our  mostcele. 
brated  painters,  and  are  exicuted  in  the  highest  style  of  art : — Portrait  of  the  Authoress:  Hope; 
A  Child  playing  with  a  Watrh  :  The  Reaper;  Ida;  Old  Friends;  The  Child's  Portrait;  Little 
Red  Riding  Hood  ;  The  Life  Boat ;  Twilight  Hours;  The  Arab  and  his  Steed  ;  Zuleika. 

"There  is  nothing  iiucliaiiital  about  her;  all  is  buoyant,  overflowing,  irrepressible  vivacity, 
like  the  bubbling  up  of  a  ualnral  fountain.  In  her  almost  childish  playfulness,  she  reminds  us 
of  that  exquisite  creation  of  Fon(|uc,  Undine,  who  knew  no  law  but  that  of  her  own  wayward- 
ness. The  great  charm  of  her  poetry  is  its  unaflected  simplicity.  It  is  the  transparent  simpli- 
city of  truth,  reflecting  the  feeling  of  the  moment  like  a  mirror." — Rev.  Dr.  Davidson. 

"  In  all  the  poems  of  Mrs.  Osgood,  we  find  occasion  to  admire  the  author  as  well  as  the  works 
Her  spontaneous  and  instinctive  effusions  appear,  in  a  higher  degree  than  any  others  in  our 
literature,  to  combine  the  rarest  and  highest  capacities  in  art  with  the  sincerest  and  deepest  sen- 
timents and  the  noblest  aspirations.  They  would  convince  us,  if  the  beauty  of  her  life  were 
otherwise  unknown,  that  Mrs.  Osgood  is  one  of  the  loveliest  of  characters  in  the  histories  of 
literature  or  society." — Pennsylvania  Inquirer  and  Courier. 

"  The  position  of  Mrs.  Osgood,  as  a  graceful  and  womanly  Poetess,  is  fixed,  and  will  be  endur- 
ing. To  taste  of  faultless  delicacy,  a  remarkable  command  of  poetical  language,  great  variety 
of  cadence,  and  a  most  musical  versification,  she  has  added  recently  the  highest  qualities  of  in- 
spiration, imagination,  and  passion,  in  a  degree  rarely  equalled  in  the  productions  of  women  

The  reputation  which  Sirs.  Osgood  enjoys,  as  one  of  the  most  amiable,  true-hearted,  and  bril- 
liant ladies  in  American  society,  will  add  to  the  good  fortune  of  a  book,  the  intrinsic  excellence 
and  beauty  of  wiiich  will  secure  for  it  a  place  among  the  standard  creations  of  female  genius." 
— Home  Journal. 

Published  by 

RIKER,  THORNE  &  CO., 


129  Ftdton  Street,  Mw  York. 


WILD  SCENES  AND  SONG  BIRDS. 

Bv  C.  AV.  WEBBER. 
Magnificently  illustrated,  with  20  illuminated  drawinfrs,  lov.  8vo.  cloth,       -      5  00 

"    o'llt  extra,         6  00 
morocco  extra,         8  00 
"It  will  prove  a  gem  to  lovers  of  natural  history.    It.  crintaiiT!  riiinprou^  colo\ireil  plates,  repre- 
sentinft  a  great  variety  of  the  feathered  tribes,  witii  nnu-h  tri-aoe  ainl  eorn  etness.    The  text  is  by 
C.  W.  Webber,  well  known  for  his  deep  love  ot  nature  and  (;ia]>lne  desenpliiiiis  ot  her  wonders. ' — 
Home  Journal. 

"  Here,  are  the  beautiful  birds  and  flowers  <<l  ^ m-:i  ;  \  11,,.  I,;t.ipress  is 

wortliy  of  the  illustrations.    Gay  and  ioyous  is  if?  vi.       '  '  :    i       !  .  -.■  .lality 

of  one  not  trammelled  by  the  conventionality  of  eit  ,     i     ;      -        i  -  i  hts  from 

rural  scenes  and  bis  descriptions  from  his  free  faiu'v  idmI  \.i        \,  — .w         .i'lf  riixcr. 

"PURPLE  TINTS  OF  PARIS." 

By  BAYLE  ST.  JOHN, 

Author  of  "  Village  Life  in  Egvpt"  "  Two  Tears'  Residence  in  it  Lfnintine  lunnHur  (tr  ,  etr. 

Just  published  for  the  first  time  in  this  cniint I  V.    I  Jino.,  clotli,       1  00 
"A  charming  work,  full  of  life,  pathos,  and  sound  judgment." 

SIR  FRAXCIS  HEAD'S 

"  FAGGOT  OF  FRENCH  STICKS." 

T2mo.,  cloth,        1  00 
"The  most  graphic,  curious,  and  accurate  work  on  Paris  ever  published." 

THE   COLD  GR.\PERY; 

From  direct  American  Practice:  bcitii;-  a  cnnci-c  .■md  (I.tailc.!  Trr,'iti-~c  un  i  lie  ( 'nit  i^  .-itidn 
of  the  Exotic  Grape  Vine,  under  gla<-,  wiili.Mit  :iriiilri;,l  lu.,-,t.  ]U  WM.  ( 'I  K  iKI/K  >\, 
Gardener.  Ju.-t  juiMi-h  •(!,  rjiin'.,  niu-lin,  50 

THE  LIFE  AND  LABORS  OF  ST.  AUGUSTINE. 

Translated  from  the  German  of  Dr.  Philip  Schaff,  P.y  Prof.  T.  C.  POINTER,  of  Frank- 
lin and  Marshall  College,  Lancaster,  Pa.;  with  a  liiimlsuine  riiL>ni\  in^-  of  St.  Augustine. 

Elegantly  bound  in  extra  cloth,  gilt  M.Irs  an. 1  l.;uic.     li'mo.         ,  75 

A  HARMONY  OF  THE  GOSPFJ.S, 

in  the  Greek  of  the  received  text,  on  the  ].!an  i>f  the  Autlun-V  l-ji^li-h  llaiinunv.  with 
the  most  important  various  readings,  bi.in'j,-  grainniati.  al  cxplanatiMiis,  sricct  ISiblical 
References  and  Chronological  Notes,  for  the  use  (.f  Stu.lcnts  and  othci's.  By  JAMES 
STRONG,  A.M. 

PERSONS  AND  PICTURES 

of  French  and  English  History.  By  HENRY  WILLIAM  HERBERT.  12mo.,mus.   1  25 

BEHIND  THE  SCENES. 

By  Lady  BULWER.  12mo.,  mus.  125 

PARKMAN'S  PRAIRIE  AND  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  LIFE. 

Illustrated  by  Darley.  .  Cloth,        1  25 

"  Written  with  the  genuine  inspiration  of  untamed  nature." — Tribune. 

CHAUCER'S  POEMS. 

Edited  by  Chas.  D.  Deshler.    12mo.,  cloth,  (33 
o-ilt,    1  00 
cloth  gilt,  ex.     1  25 

Published  by  RIKER,  THORNE  k  CO. 

129  Fulton  Street,  J\'ew  York. 


A  TREATISE 

THEORY  AND  PRACTICE 


LANDSCAPE  GARDENINCt, 

SortI]  '^iiuricii; 

IMPROVEMENT  OF  COUNTRY  RESIDENCES. 


EEiMAEKS  OX  RURAL  ARCHITECTURE. 

jriftfiEtiitioii, 


By  a.  J.  DOWNING, 


"  Insult  not  Nature  with  absurd  expense. 
Nor  spoil  her  simple  charms  by  vain  pretence; 
Wei^h  well  the  subject,  be  with  caution  bold, 
Profuse  of  genius,  not  profuse  of  gold." 


NEW  YOU!;: 
KIKER,  THORNE  &  CO.,  120  FULTON  STREET. 

1854. 


\ 


